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What does it mean when your car is overheating and smoking a noise coming from the engine?

Overheating and smoking with a noise from the engine is a serious problem and indicates significant engine trouble. It means something is critically wrong and you should immediately pull over to a safe location, turn off the engine, and call for roadside assistance or a tow truck. Do not attempt to drive the car further.

Several things could be causing this:

* Low coolant: A major coolant leak could be causing the overheating and the smoke (steam) might be visible. The noise could be from components running dry or parts rubbing due to lack of lubrication (coolant also lubricates some parts in some engine designs).

* Head gasket failure: This is a very common cause of overheating and white/milky smoke. A blown head gasket allows coolant to leak into the cylinders, leading to pressure buildup, overheating and potential damage. The noise could be a variety of things depending on the extent of the damage.

* Cracked engine block or head: Similar to a head gasket failure, a crack allows coolant to leak into the cylinders or oil to mix with coolant, resulting in overheating and potentially damaging smoke. The noise could be a variety of things depending on the extent of the damage.

* Seized bearing: A seized bearing will generate significant heat and noise, causing overheating and potentially smoke due to friction and burned oil.

* Broken timing belt (interference engine): If the timing belt breaks in an interference engine, the valves and pistons can collide, causing catastrophic damage, overheating and smoke. You'll likely hear a loud bang or grinding noise when this happens.

* Oil leak: A significant oil leak can lead to overheating (lack of lubrication) and smoke (burning oil). The noise could be related to the lack of lubrication.

In short: This is a serious mechanical failure requiring professional attention. Continuing to drive the car will likely cause irreversible and expensive damage. Get it towed to a mechanic for diagnosis and repair.