Oil Leak

[Elusion]

Yesterday I started my 1999 Grand Am with 94K miles on it and the 'Low Oil" light came on. I checked the ground and there were a couple quarter size spots on the ground. They were on the passanger side of the Engine and in a line.
I just want to know what this could be so when I take it in, the Mechanic doesn't rip me off.
Thanks.

p.s. It's below freezing where I am, and I had just returned the previous night from an 8 hour drive with no problems.

[rixGAphx]

Well, check the dipstick and fill the crankcase.
You must do that before you drive it to the shop.

Personally, I would:
Look on the engine front, at the oil filter, and see if there's a trail of oil down the block; and,
Drive around for a day or two, and see if it leaks any more.

Do NOT run the engine if the Oil Pressure light comes on, and keep an eye on the Oil Level light.

You may have just consumed enough oil on the trip, such that while you were low to begin with, you are now low enough for the light to come on.

There really isn't any pressurized oil at the nose of the engine (passenger side of car) for a major leak to occur. Just the bottom of the timing case cover, and that oil isn't pressurized so it doesn't leak very much even when the seal fails.

Hope this helps.
-Rick

[Elusion]

Thanks!
This morning I checked the dipstick and it was low.
When I drove to work today I saw a drop where I parked so it's still leaking.
On my way home I'll buy some oil and fill it up.
I think I'll take it to the shop in the morning.

[tenspeed]

On my '96 with a 2.4L, the light would come on when it was 1.5 quarts low. After a few years, the switch failed so I changed it. It's just a float switch held in the sump by a "Y" shaped bracket. I replaced it during a oil change.

Like Rick said, don't run the engine with low oil pressure.

[MantaGreen97]

^I thought the 96-98 did not have a Check Oil/Low Oil light for the 2.4L TC engine. I thought it only had the oil pressure "genie lamp" light...

[tenspeed]

My '96 2.4L was in a Achieva. The Grand Am may not have had it.