Had a similar event on a 2002 2.4L - agree you likely need to replace the engine - rebuilt or used....

Buckaroo

 

Welcome to TN!

White smoke usually could mean oil burning or coolant. Did she know if the temp gauge was on H?

Two issues with tends to follow most the 2AZ assuming all components of the engine is in working order...
-oil consumption due to piston rings/drain holes on piston, you’ll run low on oil and cook the lower end rod bearing.
-coolant lost due to coolant leak on the rear side of the block/head due to headbolt issues. This leads to poor heater performance, gurgling behind dash, and overheating.

If no compression is was verdict, it’s going to need at minimal a new headgasket. I Given the miles on the engine, it may be advised to look for a remanufacture engine that has the “fixes” done to it.

 

Thank you for the info.

Right now we are looking at getting a used engine. Used engine has 93K on it. The used engine does have a 12 month/ 12,000 mile warranty for parts and labor. So not a rebuilt engine. I am not so sure that the car is worth the price of putting a used engine in it let alone a rebuilt one. So there is where I am a little stressed on the issue.

I know the cars and engines have a good rep for going some good miles with out issue. Not that they all go high millage.

I have asked the mechanic that is going to work on the car to do a few diagnostics to make sure we really need to put a new engine in it or just a head and head gasket. From what I understand it will crank over and spin just not start.

The car is in a shop about 3 hours away so it is a bit difficult to deal with long distance. I did stop in at the place when I picked up my girlfriend and looked at it. It defiantly lost its coolant. You can see the white residue on the front of the engine from the coolant and some coolant puddles down low on the radiator. I did not check the oil when I was there.

She has not talked about any gurgling behind the dash or any of those symptoms. The back of the engine looked good. A little oil from the valve cover has leaked on the intake but nothing extreme.

EDIT: The extended warranty notification (ZE7) does not apply to this year. There have been no issues with it burring though oil. But now I am worried that the used engine will have this issue.

Also if anyone has an affordable source for a re-manufactured engine with correction done please let me know.