I have a 94 4Runner that I use as a backup vehicle. I started it yesterday to go somewhere and it started with a loud noise that it has never made before...kind of like a loud blowing noise or like something is wrong with the muffler. It's almost like it was normal the last time I drove it and yesterday, it sounded more like a Harley. The noise continued and never stopped. I just turned it off and used my other car and decided that I'm just going to take the truck in to the mechanic. I also checked the oil and there is a little too much oil...it's just a little past the full mark. I don't know if that would have caused something to go wrong.

I'm just wanting to know if I should even drive it or not to the mechanic shop that is about 2 miles from where I live??? Is there something that would cause the loud noise all of a sudden that would make it not safe to drive? I really don't know a lot about cars and am not sure if I am just being paranoid.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Could be a rusted out exhaust system. May get a ticket that would cost more than the tow.
Bad manifold gasket. Burn a valve, cost way more than the price of a tow.

Sounds like a hole in the exhaust system.

As for too much oil on the dipstick, that is common when the engine is cold, and the oil has drained to the oil pan over time.

Thank you for your replys. It ended up that someone stole my catalytic converter.

Thanks for your help.