i have a 98 ford windstar. when i went to start it yesterday the lifters starting tapping very loud. it also started to smoke. i have never had this problem before. smoke started coming out of the engine compartment. i turned the car off and looked under the car. there was oil on the ground. when i checked the oil it was about a half quart low. there is a leak in the coolant system but have been unable to find it. i drained the oil and couldnt tell if coolant was in the oil and i didnt see any oil in the coolant. any suggestions? please help. today i took off the starter and disconnected the exhaust. there are 3 small holes in the oil pan. the holes are out not in. i hope that it is not a rod and its just the oil pump siezed up and the small rod that goes to the oil pump came off.