Guys I can't stress this enough. If you have ANY kind of issue, and you need to land ASAP, for gods sake say EMERGENCY immediately. Even if it doesn't wind up being an emergency, say it. Lots of ATC are not pilots, none are mind readers. If you're telling us you're having an issue but don't declare emergency, there's a good chance we won't think it's that serious and you have it under control. You say EMERGENCY and we will clear a path for you like Moses through the Red Sea.
Personal anecdote. My only fatality was a Be36 that ran out of gas. His initial call with a problem was "approach my power seems to be dropping for some reason". I think 2-3 minutes might have gone by before I understood the gravity of his situation. He never once declared emergency. I declared emergency for him. He went into the trees 1/2 mile short of a runway. I honestly believe had he told me EMERGENCY right away, that extra minute or two would have been enough to get him to the runway.