cooling system questions

[SweetWagon]

Im pretty sure i need a new thermostat, but still getting around to doin it one day, anyway on startup the car blows alot of smoke, i left it for about 5 mins and still blows alot of smoke, is this because the motor is cold and temp sender is telling it to run richer? the temp guage also reads on bottom marker. When i felt the motor still seems cold, the top radiatior hose is slightly warm and bottom hose is stone cold, does this sound right??

also off topic, how does the basic ignition system work in the vn's, i pretty newbie, all i know is that there is a coil pack which leads go to plugs and does the CAS play any part in the ignition/fuel systems.

Cheers

[big vn]

what color is the smoke, it might be head gasket or valve stem seals leaking. the crank angle sensor plays a big part in the ignition system. on the back of the harmonic ballancer there is 3 metal strips with gaps in them. when the metal passes sensor the sensor tells the computer to fire a particular coil eg no 1, if the sensor is faulty the car wont go , very common on vn-vs

[SweetWagon]

Nah its not burning oil, its a young motor at 180,000, but would it by running cold therfore richer make excess smoke? doesnt the vn have 3 coils, so wouldnt it fire 2 plugs?