99 sable engine ticking

[aviking]

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?

[Headnsouth]

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

[aviking]

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?

[aviking]

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.

[aviking]

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?

[Headnsouth]

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

[aviking]

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.

[aviking]

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.

[Headnsouth]

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

[aviking]

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