Gloomy or not David it's fact. Smoke is NOT good news unfortunately, and far from trying to spoil Shirley's day, I'm just stating the inevitable if she ignores the problem.
When I read "she smoked like a pig big
time. When driving down the A12 she drives fine . When I got stuck in
traffic off she goes smoking again.It also started to puff out smoke when I start up now. She is a 3000 cc petrol."
It's time for garage attention. Personally I wouldn't take the risk of a seizure due to lack of oil or sudden oil pressure failure. Then she WILL need a new engine, and they certainly don't come cheap!!
I've said it before, These big 24 valve engines are all very well, but you do have to remember that when it comes to repairs, they can also be horrendously expensive to repair and service BECAUSE they have 24 valves. That's the downside. More valves, more bills.
The mileage isn't an issue. A well maintained engine will far exceed 113,000 miles if the oil and filter is regularly changed, and the engine isn't hammered. Most engines unfortunately don't benefit from such care however, and you never know what a previous owner might have treated the vehicle like. "One careful lady owner" (who drives like a bat out of hell), springs to mind!!
I also speak from experience having had 5X 4 wheel drive vehicles, including two Shoguns, so I do know how they work, and I also do all my own repairs (and I mean ALL)including engine and gearbox repairs.
My vehicles get new oil and new filters every 4,000 miles, and I NEVER, EVER cane them. That's the secret!! I used to build engines for Perkins Diesel, so I do know my subject!
The engine, by Shirley's own description, is in urgent need of attention, and personally I'd be hunting the pages of Ebay for a replacement engine pronto!!
Dropping out an old, and putting in a newer engine (from a crash damaged vehicle for example) will be vastly cheaper than having a full engine overhaul which, I suspect, is what her present engine seriously needs.
It could be easily done in a day and would certainly be my choice.
I hope you get it sorted Shirley.