TubbyTradesman

Hello Audi World

A question for all here, I have the opportunity to purchase a 2005 Audi A4 1.8l Quattro with 130,000km ( Canadian car ). The story behind the car, what I know so far, is the car has had the head gasket replaced in the past and is now blowing white smoke out the exhaust according to the owner, he also mentioned low oil dash light came on, topping it up with oil to keep it off, he know's nothing about car repair and simply said he didn't want to deal with it any longer, he's already purchased a new car to replace, now the A4 is just sitting and he wants it gone. For $500 I can take it off his hands, there are still more questions I would like to ask him, along with some tests I would like to do, check under oil cap for signs or water in oil, compression test/leak down test, scan for code history of the few, my first thought was seeing as though the head gasket had been replaced in the past and along with white smoke he is describing its possible it has blown again, however now that he mentioned the low oil dash light has come on and he's been topping it up to continue driving, makes me think it is actually burning oil now, possibly a bigger problem then I might think. Just curious what you would do, for $500 dollars is it worth dealing with it, I'd like to hear your input/thoughts.

Thanks

W261w261

If the seller "knows nothing about car repair," then he must have a bunch of receipts to look at. No receipts = beware.

If you are planning on doing your own work, that's one thing. If you're paying someone else, that's another. Things like whether the timing belt has been changed, various leaks in the differentials, etc etc could make that 500 disappear in your rear view mirror, as the road ahead leads to Heartbreak Hotel.

lyleswk

Run away...really fast.

TubbyTradesman

Thanks W261w261 & lyleswk for the input. W261w261, I would be doing the repairs myself, but this is what I was worried about is the $500 disappear as you mentioned, I've done a lot of reading on the forum and google and lots of talk about timing belt as you mentioned especially after the 100k mark, and I'm not sure if he has receipts, again as I mentioned lots I wanted to ask him. I was going to take a look at the car tomorrow but I'm thinking not now, seems I could be asking for a lot more then I am anticipating, and the engine is one big concern as well weather this white smoke is coolant or oil and what damage could already be done.

Thanks for the input much appreciated.