S50 water in oil and oil loss

[funcrew]

Last Saturday, I changed the oil and filter in my S50. The old oil looked good. I installed a Mahle filter with new o-rings and replaced the crush washer on the drain bolt. Added 5 quarts of Mobil 1 10W40.

Today, Monday morning, I added a can of fuel injector cleaner to an almost-empty gas tank and drove to work. Halfway there, the "engine oil" light came on. I pulled over and was horrified to find that the oil was 2 quarts low and emulsified; it looked like water had gotten into the oil. I bought 2 quarts of oil at a 7-11, put it in and drove to work (1 mile from there).

The engine did not overheat at any time.

When I get off work, I'll change the oil again and check the coolant level to see if I lost a substantial amount from the reservoir.

So what are the pain options - blown head gasket? cracked head? cracked block? And why?

[SpecM]

that sucks, but doesn't a m/s50 hold 6 quarts? maybe that's why it was low...

[funcrew]

OK, that's encouraging, because I stupidly neglected to check the oil level after the change, and it only took 1 quart to bring it to the bottom mark on the dipstick. Luckily, I didn't do any hard cornering while it was low.

Is there any way that low oil level would draw water into the crankcase?

Edit: The coolant reservoir level does not appear to be any lower than it was a week ago, but the oil is quite emulsified.

[1990m3]

hmmm, my friends manual for his e36 m3 says 7 quarts...but the e34 oil pan might have a different capacity. I doubt it though, it looks identical to the e36 oil pan just reversed.

I always put 7 quarts in my car, might explain why you're 2 short