Check engine light came on now the car won't move

If you could answer a couple of questions for me, I will be able to give you the right answer. First, you mention smoke. What color was the smoke (it does make a big difference)? Was it whitish? Was it black? Was it brown? Or, was it blue? It may seem like nitpicking, but it isn’t because each type of smoke can indicate a different problem. For example, whitish smoke could indicate a problem with the cooling system. And, it’s really not smoke, but steam that is gushing out. Likewise, if the smoke was black, it could indicate there was a problem with the oil and crankcase or possibly the EGR system or possibly the MAS sensor and related pieces.

Next, you indicated there was fluid all over the place. Was it oil? Was it black? Did it have a reddish or brownish tinge to it? Or did it have a greenish or yellowish tinge to it. Black fluid could indicate a problem with the lubrication system and, quite possibly, the fuel system. Reddish fluid or brownish or red-brown fluid indicates a transmission problem is happening while greenish or yellowish fluid indicates there is a problem with the cooling system.

Finally, can you tell me if any lines or hoses had obviously let go? If you can give me this info, I’ll be able to help you.

I really want to help you out but I need a little more information before I can even hazard a thought.

The smoke that you are seeking, believe it or not, is coming from the cooling system. If the smoke were black or bluish then it would have been coming from either the lubrication or fuel systems (oil is blue, gas is black).

What I suspect has happened to your car is not good news. I suspect that your block may have a hairline crack. This means that coolant is leaking out from the water jacket and the affected galleries. When coolant seeps out of a block and comes in contact with the hot block it forms steam and thus the white smoke you are seeing.

Since the vehicle has stopped, it is quite likely that is the case. You are losing coolant and it is overheating. The combination causes the engine to stop.

I don’t think it is transmission-related at all because there is nothing to indicate that transmission fluid is involved (reddish or dark brown smoke or a reddish leak).

I don’t want want say that it is a cracked block, I am just saying it could be. Hopefully, it is far more simple, something like a bad head gasket. Your car has to get to the shop as soon as possible. Hope I’ve helped, please let me know.