Have I got a major problem - water/glycol in the oil pan

[Drakman]

Hello Guys and Girls,

I have a 1999 M roadster with the S50 B32 engine that I purchased about 18 months ago, 98,000 KLM's on the odometer , service records all the way back to new.

I decided to service it myself today as I had the oil light come on a couple of times, just the oil light no rattles and the engine full of oil. When I turn the engine off and restart it the oil light goes off for about 10 minutes so I decided to replaced the oil pressure switch and the constant oil pressure valve (up behind the exhaust). While it is up on stands I thought good time to change the oil and filter. While I was under the car I took the round plate that holds the oil pump filter off the oil pan and I noticed radiator water come out with the oil, about 2 tablespoons worth.

The car doesn't run hot nor does it seem to use water, can anyone shed light on how or where the water could be getting into the oil pan. The oil is not white or frothy either.

Is anyone familiar with this issue?

Cheers
Dave

 

[Althulas]

Fortunately I’ve not experienced this problem. I would not want to drive it or run the engine for too long as coolant is not a great lubricant and I already had the engine rebuilt at an expense. I would either get a head gasket test kit or take it to a garage and get it tested first. I don’t think it could be from the oil cooler as I’m sure it’s just an oil circuit only.

 

[Drakman]

Hi Althulas, Is the oil cooler water cooled?

I'm not sure it is a classic blown head gasket because it would be running hot or loosing water. My thoughts are that it may have a leak from a cooling hole between the head and the block and an oil return hole to the oil pan but I don't know these engines. I am hoping that there may be a simple explanation.