Taking my ‘04 Forester back from my Dad before he scraps it.

[Lost Nomad]

morning and hello I just signed up. Looking for help…
 

Long story short: 

Bought a 2.0 XT Forester in 2007, drove & towed all over France, Spain & Portugal until 2011… came back to UK & sold it to my Dad.

Smoke started coming from the engine back about 3 years ago (could be an oil leak from a pipe dropping onto the manifold) so he stopped driving it & it’s sat there in the garden wasting away. Now he plans to scrap it & I’m thinking of taking it back & getting it on the road. 

It (Bear) starts, runs and moves… should I be concerned about the smoke and (aside from knocking) are there any engine noises I should be wary of when it’s idling.

 

thanks in advance for any tips & advice.