White smoke is usualy coolant in the exhaust. Bad.

Black smoke is usually incomplete combustion - might be overfuelling, might be injector problem, might be one or more cylinders not igniting - which could be down to poor compression on one or more cylinders. This would fit with black greasy residue on rear of vehicle.


Those two symptoms are looking like blown head gasket or cracked head or block.

Problem vanishing after revving the bolleaux off the engine while stationary does NOT fit that diagnosis. So what else could give water in combustion plus incomplete combustion? Maybe the water trap on the fuel line to the injectors plus a sticky injector.


The ignition light is almost certainly red herring, but do check to make sure the alternator belt is still on.


Yes, you need a diesel mecco.


Willie-O, this is probably a van about the size of a Ford Fiesta or Focus, not the size of a US panel van.