1998 Lumina Exhaust? Problems HELP

Hi all. Well I drove to work today in my 1998 Chevy Lumina with 111,114 miles on it. No problems I got in car to drive home got about 1 mile away from work and it sounded like I got my semi auto matic rifle out and continued to shoot all the way home, I am thinking maybe exhause mainfold, I checked the oil no water in the oil and the service engine light is blinking. Please any insight on this would be appricated limited budget and kids christmas coming as a single mom I would greatly appricate it!! Its a v6 3.1 engine. Doesn't seem to have lost any power. Thanks again!!!

Check engine lite flashing is usually caused by a misfire that could damage the catylytic convertor, this should be scanned for the codes to start with.

im not convinced that an exhaust leak can cause a misfire code. Are you sure that there isnt a rod flopping around inside the block? Check the oil for any little metallic shavings or big chunks.

Thank you for the insight! Thought I would update, because It sounded so horribly bad I had not drove it since I posted I didn't want to make the situation worse by driving to Auto Zone for them to scan, so I had it all set up to rent / borrow the handheld scanner yesterday. And then my luck changed! I was able to find someone with a little knowledge of cars to listen to it for me. As I started it and it popped & spit at us he checked the spark plugs.... One was blown right out. He said its possible it was not tight enough or the engine blew it out. He put it back in tightened all of them and WOW WEE the sound is gone!! I AM SIMPLY AMAZED and at the same time feeling stupid ... Once he touched that wire it was obvious it was not connected and the problem is fixed. I AM AMAZED. So there is my update long winded but I love this site you have all helped me MANY times in the past and this will always be the site I turn to first! High fives all around!