Picked up a cheap temporary 309 - but with some issues. Advice if possible please.

I collected a 309 yesterday afternoon, after I'd worked out it owed me about
£50. Not
bad for a 88k mile car.

G-red 1.3 309 with £90 worth of tax (7 1/2 months), 3 mths MOT and a spare
cable with upgraded Clarion stereo and some fuel. Part SH - the first two
owners appear fastidious due to the records for work that's been done. But
the third ..... ?

It drives, doesn't bounce or squeak/rattle. There doesn't appear to have
been any of the typical boot/sunroof leaks and the bodywork's fine - a bit
of rust in a couple of places and a minor dent but that's all. The front
strut tops appear to have been done at some time too. Exhaust looks almost
new and it had a heater blower unit in 2002.

However, the brakes are juddering and the clutch definately won't last too
much longer, but hopefully at least a week.

It also seems to have had a) a major water leak or b) head gasket failure at
some point in its' life. There was some mayonnaise in the filler cap but I
don't think the oil's been changed for some time and it's been standing. The
rocker cover also
looks like it may be leaking.

Jobs to do prior to a thousand mile hammering of it next week due to
work-related trips:

1. Oil and filter change
2. Plugs
3. Flush the cooling system, or at the least drain what I can.
4. Wonder how I can fit the choke cable 'cos without one it's running fast
and there's one been supplied
5. Figure out why the reversing and fog lamps don't work.
6. Get the RH rear seat back to fit as it won't at the moment.
7. Figure out whether the fuel guage is wrong or its' really using up fuel
that fast (due to the choke?)
8. Figure out why the engine keeps running after it's been switched off (?
to do with choke cable)

Any advice on the the best way to do the above issues would be much
appreciated. I've got a Haynes manual and I'll give it a go!


David