engine oil leak

I was wondering whether any of you have ever driven a car with a low amount of engine oil and what the consequences were. Last Nov I 1st noticed a large pool of oil underneath my car. I figured that since the car's oil was changed just a few days prior, the tech that changed it probably put in too much oil. Last Dec I decided to check the oil and found that the dipstick read Full. So I didn't bother to check it again. Last week I started hearing a high paced clicking noise coming from the engine. When I went to my local mechanic, he found that there was no oil showing up on the dipstick and so he added 2 quarts. So now I guess my engine is damaged and I'm wondering whether I can keep driving it and I'm also wondering whether the leak can be plugged. I will be taking it back to the mechanic in a few days. I'm hoping I don't get an outrageous estimate like I need a new engine or something. Any speculative guesses as to whether I can get the leak plugged and keep driving my 97 Kia Sephia? It has 51k miles on it by the way.

On the power plant, I have seen a KIA engine that went for 149k miles, with no oil change.

Amazing, and when it failed, stuff did go thru the windshield.

I would put oil in it, and watch it. Check the fluid every week or two weeks depending on how far you drive it. I keep spare oil in the trunk, along with coolant. Check all of your fluid levels.

KIAs as they get older tend to use more oil. If you hear that clicking sound, especially at low rpms, it means add Oil.

104k on my engine no major problems. I have heard the clicking about 5 times.

If they had only built the brakes to last that long...