Loud lifter tick?
 

I got a steth under the intake, and yep, I've got a loud tick the doesn't go away originating at the base of the head in the middle of the engine.

Started about a week ago, during my weekly warmup (car is not driven much). Started it again today and it was noticably louder, checked the oil - two quarts low, nothing showed on the dipstick.

Now what? I put oil back in it, and the sound is not diminished.

New engine? (please god no)
Thanks,
Patrick

Ive heard that in general the tick is not harmful but just very annoying. Try run a lower weight synthetic oil or some MMO and see if it goes away.

oh and stop running your engine low on oil:p