Defender white smoke

Right here goes,

went to look at a 1987 90 TD last night for a friend, tis an MOT failure due to excessive smoking. It bellows out white smoke that stinks of diesel.
The battery was very low but it started well so I dont think it its compression, it sounded sweet enough whilst running but had comedy levels of white smoke when revved.
The turbo appears to be working OK (pipe getting hard) my feeling is that its pump timing.
Any thoughts ?
Have looked thro the archives but cant find a base timing set up for this motor.
Your advise will be welcomed.

Cheers

Steve

i had picked up water when i filled my tdi defender at feckn tescos and couldnt see behind me for about a mile it eventually sorted its self out (60 miles ) before it was back to normal

White smoke with a diesel is usually either fuel pump timing, fuel starvation. low compression or water mixing with the fuel. From your description it doesn't sound like low compression or starvation. So that leaves you with the timing, moisture in the fuel or blown head gasket/cracked block/head.
I wouldn't pay over the scrap price so you can weigh it in if it's knackered. If it's just the timing you've got yourself a bargain.

Thanks for the replys.

There is no sign of water loss or overheating & the smoke smells really diesely (?)

Probably gonna have a punt at around £400.

Steve