Have I bought a lemon?

[pg20]

Purchased a 1.8 Avant (97 P) with 149K miles on the clock with a full S/H in the week for only £1150. Drove home aprox 8 miles and it's been sat on the drive for the past four days. Started it today and all seemed well until I took it for a spin and noticed clouds of white smoke behind me . . ! It seems to be running up to temp OK, cooling fan not coming on, no mayo on the top of the oil cap, coolant looks clear. It still drives fine, no excessive noise any thoughts??:1zhelp:

[darkhorse1001]

I've got a 99 1.8 avant that does just the same, and has been since i bought it about a year ago. it's water vapour rather than smoke and i think the exhaust system on these cars is particularly prone to collecting condensation, especially at this time of year. i tend to notice it less during the summer.

for reassurance keep an eye on the coolant level, if it needs regular topping up it maybe more serious but i wouldn't panic just yet.

i've also heard it can be water in the fuel filter(?!), and i'm about to change mine as part of a regular service so i'll let you know if it does make a difference (although i'm highly sceptical)

[pg20]

Thanks for the above. Anybody else have any thoughts??

[darkhorse1001]

well, as promised the fuel filters been off and replaced (and the fuel that came out of it was as black as a very black thing in the dark) but sems to have made no difference to the vapour side of things as predicted.

[pg20]

Have now been able to tax it and take it out for a 40 mile drive. All seems well but I think the thermostat is US. Thanks for your help:approve: