Engine issue help

Blown head gasket, from overheating. Likely warped the head.
Is he putting in a used engine? Rebuilt? JDM?
Depending, $2000 is a good price, for both.

 

FWIW; these 3nd gen engines are problematic. If 2K is just a used engine replacement; you could end up like this in a couple of months or years.
IMHO: If you want it reliable, get a rebuilt updated engine with new coolant pumps. Hopefully the previous owner didn't cover-up this issue with stop-leak, so they could sell it. Stop-leak tends to clog up the cooling system - which is another issue you'll need to deal with when it starts overheating in the summer months.

Good Luck...

 

Very possibly the stop-leak product seller dumped into engine coolant losing effectiveness.

 

White smoke is probably coolant quickly vaporizing in the cylinder(s). An advanced head gasket leak into the cylinder. I would expect the passenger side coolant reservoir to be lower than normal as well.

A borescope test with the cooling system pressurized is definitive.

Rebuilt or JDM engine is needed.

Car Care Nut HG Borescope at 660 seconds

 

I think that's on par with the old sawdust in the transmission trick. Before my time, but I've heard about it. Looked it up, and it was a thing. My 2 cents, the stop-leak products should be made illegal.

 

LoL; that one has been around for two or three lifetimes - worked on manual transmissions. Not too many cars in the USA has those anymore. You try that with an automatic transmission, it'll clog up the filter and won't go anywhere.

No offense but you should probably get cars professionally inspected before buying them..... You don't know what your don't know. In this case, avoided a $4K mistake - plus another $2K, possibly more if it starts overheating, because the cooling system is clogged by the stop-leak.
The real question is how deep down this rabbit hole are you willing to go?

 

When they replace the engine make sure they replace or completely clean the EGR or you will be right back with another blown head gasket.

 

You need to understand what type of replacement engine will be used and try to understand the differences between a used salvage yard engine and a properly rebuilt engine. Or a used in Japan JDM engine.

 

Including the intake manifold: it has the final leg of the EGR passages.