Little worried. Just changed my oil and when I started my car up I got a little white smoke and some water out my tail pipes for about 10 seconds. Could this just be condensation? The oil isn't frothy and no bubbles. I took the car for a drive and the temp was normal but my idle oil pressure dropped to 10. Oil looks extremely clear but no more water out the pipes. Any thoughts? Would there be any other signs for a blown gasket?
I don't think there should be any doubt it would be simple condensation, but do keep an eye on the oil and coolant. My personal feeling is that 10 psi of oil pressure at idle. It really isn't considered optimal. In fact it is minimal IMO. I assume it comes up ok when above idle. You might consider checking it with another gauge in case yours would be off.
Thanks guys. The oil pressure sending unit is right above the oil filter and has already been replaced. The gauge is old but seems to register. Before I switched to 30 weight oil it would idle at 25-30. When I get on the gas it goes to 40 but once I come to a stop it is dropping to 10....
I have read the best place to get your oil pressure from is the galley plug at the back of the block near the distributor... I've also used the rule of thumb that it takes 12 psi to keep the lifters pumped up. If they weren't however, you would get some ticking up there you would think. I have the high PRESSURE pump in my 428, but have considered this at times to be a small mistake due to the extreme pressure it does offer. My concern was to keep those big main journals filled with oil. I have to let the engine temperature come up well before I take off 'cause otherwise it'll peg a hundred psi gauge when driven. I leave the driveway at 60 psi or less...It runs down the road at 65...Idles hot at 40-45. When it idles warm at 30 or less, I feel I've got the crankcase fueled up enough to warrant changing the oil. I almost always change it at 1,000-1,300 miles regardless. It may be overkill, but I must say, it is a very clean engine inside. Is there a minimum spec listed where the other information came from?