Overheating, Signs of Exhaust in Coolant, but None

Asked by Dustin Jul 13, 2017 at 01:02 AM about the 2003 Honda Civic LX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My car overheats on the freeway after about 20-30
minutes, especially in stop and go traffic. I see
signs of exhaust in the radiator (when rad cap is
off and car is running, bubbles come up. Steam
comes out once it gets hot. Fluid comes out when
car revved). However, it just passed a block test
with flying colors (fluid that detects exhaust stayed
dark blue, no hint of green or yellow). What other
issue could cause those same symptoms? Any
help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and I just
changed the thermostat. No difference.

4 Answers

Dustin answered 6 years ago

If it did need a head gasket, it would've failed the block test, right? There's no exhaust in there.

Mark helpful

Dustin answered 6 years ago

I've tested it five times, at different engine temps, different coolant levels, and with the car having been idled or revved for different amounts of time, all tests come up solidly negative for exhaust in coolant. I would be willing to be resigned to a headgasket issue if the test confirmed it any way or if the fluid turned even slightly green, but it doesn't, it's solidly Smurf blue. Is there any other possibility?

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • Overheating, Signs of Exhaust in Coolant, but None 4 Answers

    My car overheats on the freeway after about 20-30 minutes, especially in stop and go traffic. I see signs of exhaust in the radiator (when rad cap is off and car is running, bubbles come up. Steam ...

    2003 Honda Civic LX

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Signs of Blown Head Gasket, but car doesn't over heat. Why? 22 Answers

    I ve got a 95 civic. Drove 1000 miles with the signs of a blown head gasket, white exhaust, bubbling water tank and radiator, losing anti freeze, but my car still runs. If and when the temp gauge do...

    1995 Honda Civic LX

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Overheating 1 Answer

    2005 Honda Civic keeps overheating how I ready changed the head gaskets change the thermostat put in a new water pump and timing belt assembly we have checked the radiator while it was hot to make...

    2005 Honda Civic

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Car overheating but blowing cold air 9 Answers

    My car starts to overheat (normally in traffic) while idling and overheating the heat goes cold. Once the car begins to move (at a decent pace) engine cools back down to normal and the heat is one ...

    2002 Honda Civic EX

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Overheating 4 Answers

    My sister car honda civic 2001model .When she tune on the heater it's start overheating when it's off doesn't overheat any help on this thanks in advance .

    2001 Honda Civic EX

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

Civic

Looking for a Used Civic in your area?

CarGurus has 4,082 nationwide Civic listings starting at $440.

Postal Code:

Shortcuts

Search Honda Civic Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    ColdinMA
    Reputation
    2,360
  • #2
    Guru9CNGV
    Reputation
    2,110
  • #3
    GuruDMD1V
    Reputation
    2,090
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Accord
52 Great Deals out of 997 listings starting at $2,995
Used Toyota Corolla
150 Great Deals out of 2,284 listings starting at $2,699
Used Toyota Camry
52 Great Deals out of 1,161 listings starting at $4,594
Used Honda Civic Coupe
13 Great Deals out of 270 listings starting at $3,590
Used Honda CR-V
182 Great Deals out of 5,035 listings starting at $440
Used Hyundai Elantra
150 Great Deals out of 2,991 listings starting at $1,995
Used Mazda MAZDA3
81 Great Deals out of 1,310 listings starting at $1,999
Used Ford Mustang
51 Great Deals out of 1,662 listings starting at $5,977
Used Lexus IS
19 Great Deals out of 414 listings starting at $4,400
Used Nissan Altima
21 Great Deals out of 677 listings starting at $1,995
Used Toyota RAV4
122 Great Deals out of 3,074 listings starting at $3,900
Used BMW 3 Series
73 Great Deals out of 1,230 listings starting at $2,900
Used Toyota Tacoma
30 Great Deals out of 723 listings starting at $9,975

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.