I checked my oil after I heard a strange ticking sound coming from the timing belt area and discovered I'm about a quart down on oil, one month after an oil change. I also discovered oil on the bumper outside of the oil cooler area...I have no idea how that could have happened.

It's blowing no smoke, dropping no oil, but as you can see...something IS going on. Any ideas? I uploaded a video of what the car sounds like to see if anyone can help diagnose!

 

You are going to have to get up under it with a flashlight and start looking around.

 

Yep, that's going to happen the instant I can get my hands on a lift. I sure as hell couldnt see anything from the top.

 

Hole in the oil cooler? Maybe something pierced it. I had the same thing happen.

 

You could just get a set of plastic ramps that you drive up on. I love those things for oil changes, much easier then jacks.

 

Look at your oil cooler lines if they wet.

 

sounds possessed...

 

It sounds like lifter tick to me (mine does it, too), though the missing oil is alarming. As far as I understand, the lifter tick (if that's what it is) is possibly due to low oil pressure, so it would be a symptom and not a cause.

 

I would personally take the under-tray off….

drive the car till its at operating temperature…

jack it up on stands, inspect with a torch. and run the car if need be.