looking at 97 eclipse need input

Hey guys and gals - looking at buying a 1997 eclipse no mods but looking at buying it out of site and the guy selling the car tells me that the valve cover gasket needs to be replaced. I asked what made him think that and he said it blows white smoke out the tail pipe. Does this sound right? he also told me the timing belt is making noise.... never heard of that but I suspect it is the pully? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Is it common for the timing belt pully to seize up? If it does happen what is it going to cost to have it replaced.

Don't want to buy if needs tons of work.

1997 eclipse 2.0 105 thousand miles

Turbo or not? While smoke could be a few different things, but valve cover gasket does not come to mind. Maybe he meant head gasket.

The timing belt could be a problem. If that goes out in the near future, your motor becomes scrap metal unless you rebuild it. Make sure the timing belt is in place and functioning properly, and the timing is lined up. You will probably want to have that replaced if you buy the car.

It is not a turbo. The smoke made me think head gasket. Is this difficult to do myself? If I get the timing pully and belt replaced before it goes out the engine should be ok right?

He said it drives fine and the smoke goes away after the engine warms up. He said the timing only squeaks when driving the car

Neither of those jobs are especially fun. Make sure you know what you are getting into. And he better have a steep really really steep discount on that car with all the work you are going to have to do. Hope it's just the head gasket....

The timing belt squeel is a large deal. If that snaps you go kaboom. Find out why it's squeeling. If it's worn replace it right away.

btw valve cover gasket wouldn't make you blow white smoke that I know of... It will just leave oil in your engine bay.

He is not going to budge on the price. I think I will just pass and keep on looking. Thanks for all your help