99 sable engine ticking

my 99 sable has 107,000 miles on it and I have to put about a quart of oil in it once in a while. The car always runs fine and there is never any oil puddles where I park. I took my car to get the oil changed and my regular mechanic was on vacation so someone else did it. I mentioned the low oil for them to check out and later they called me and said there was a leak and that I should bring it back when my regular mechanic comes back. I didn't think too much of it and drove the car around locally a little and then later on the parkway about 55 mph for about 5 minutes.

This morning when I started it, it had a loud ticking that it never had before. Still no oil puddles underneath. I almost feel as if I didn't say anything to these guys, everything would have been fine! The guy that actually did the oil change wasn't there when I picked up the car so I didn't find out any more specifics. I am leery of going back there until my own mechanic comes back, but I don't want to drive it right now. What could be wrong? Could it be that low on oil already? if so, why?

Check your oil level then start it and see if you can pinpoint where the noise is coming from.

Ok, I checked the oil level and it is fine. I started the engine and I didn't hear anything at first, but as it continued to run the ticking got louder as it was before. This morning when I started it, I had gone inside while it was warming up so I didn't notice the ticking until I came back out after a few minutes. So what could this be?

Oh, and I think the noise was more in the back of the engine, but I'm not really sure. It seemed easier to hear while I was actually inside the car.

I just had my son go out to listen to it and now it's not making the ticking at all! Can I drive this car for now?

If you rev the engine does the ticking get louder? How about when you drive?

Hi,

I don't hear it now, except that in listening to the engine there might be a very slight ticking that I just got used to and/or never noticed before. But it is now not loud like it was before. Revving the engine also had no effect. It seems OK like it used to be. I don't want to be a complete automotive idiot and drive if I shouldn't, but I also don't want to go running back to the mechanic without any idea of what could be wrong.

I should say that the sounds I hear now sound like normal engine sounds that the car has always made & not ticking, but I don't know much about cars. No one ever said they heard any ticking before.

You should be fine driving it. its hard to say what was causing the noise from here. :) Just keep the ticking in mind.

thanks for your help! I know I didn't give you much to go on, but I appreciate the input. Have a great day!