2002 Avant 2.7t issues

[Chrisjohnduke]

Hello,
Just signed up. Audi virgin but know a bit about cars generally.
Bought this car just before Xmas. has many issues but I still like it!
Have been advised to sell it before incurring more cost but decided I like it enough to work through the issues, they are as follows:

Engine light doesn't come on. Assume someone had disconnected it. Car spews loads of white smoke in traffic and computer says 20.4 MPG so I assume is likely to be working on some type of limp-home mode. Can I check the light in any way? Where would someone pull a plug to disable the light?

Left hand side exhaust flexi pipe completely knackered., very noisy and looks like might fall apart unless I do something soon! Is there a bodge for this using a universal flexi? If so where do I buy? The Audi part is of course ridiculously expensive.

Where best to buy replacement Lambda sensors?

Trivial but nonetheless important what fluid should I use in the PAS system? I have the Owner's Manual but it refers me to my Audi Dealer for this info.

thanks in advance

Chris

 

[TYphoon GB]

Need a VCDS Scan to identify any faults.
Make a walk away decision after that.
Generally hiding an engine MIL light is harder and takes longer that fixing the issue IMHO (and experience).
Typically the prawns take the dash out and tape across the face...some dolts crack the SMD.
Try a8parts.co.uk for the exhaust parts (calls normally make it cheaper than the ebay site).
Guessing the turbo is worn. If so http://www.midlandturbo.com/ worth a call. Refurb around £350 breaker around £200-£250 each.
Lambda again second hand from A8parts or try http://www.lambdasensor.com
Quality power steering fluid from any motor factor is fine for normal road use.