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HELLO!
Gregomatic here, new member to this forum and new member of the Civic Community.
My sons are huge Civic fans and have owned several of different years.
I've never had a cager Honda, but I love my 1983 Honda CM 400T, and my 1969 Honda CB 350 twin motorcycles.
My coworker sold me his 2007 Civic Coupe for $1000.00 after his FG1 R series engine cracked and then developed an odd front end noise that concerned him.

I purchased the car thinking I'll drive it kindly, keep it well hydrated (he didn't always keep the res or the rad full of coolant even with a cracked block. *shrug*)
and when it blows, hopefully I will have learned enough here to know what is ahead of me with an engine swap, and what to prioritize.

I have yet to get the car up on stands to relax the suspension to seek out the offensive noise, mostly noticeable while downshifting into 3rd or 2nd gear, and sometimes on acceleration/cornering. Oddly enough, cold seems to exaggerate the noise and seems to emanate from the right strut area.

I would think maybe a CV joint beginning to fail, but the boots look fine. I've only known CV joints to go south if the boot is ruptured, loses lube and gets contaminated/rusty.
I'm actually hoping it's a strut as that would be the easy fix.

If all suspension/undercarriage looks normal, I will begin to suspect transmission.
I'm hoping this engine will last into next spring when an engine swap would be considerably more comfortable.
I despise turning a wrench in sub-temps. Grrr. I mean Brrr.

Shadow my youngest son (hatchback owner and rice scorner) says it may actually be a bad strut as the engine sounds are transferred directly to the struts and the frame/body act as a sound box amplifying the noise. I'm hoping now that it is tagged and legal he will be able to test drive it and ascertain the cause. He's pretty keen and Civic savvy.

I will keep you all posted as to what I find.
This seems like a fantastic forum, and I look forward to meeting those willing to impart their Civic wisdom upon me!
Cheers!
Grego

 
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Welcome to the forum.

Check your motor and transmission mounts too.

 
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I think someone posted that they had good results using a dremel to grind texture into to the block, then sealing it with JB weld. (For a front block coolant leak)

 
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Excellent! I didn't even think of that and I should have.
(See, i'm already glad I came here.)
That very well could make the noise I'm hearing.
Thanks for the heads up!

 
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REEEALLY!?
Wow, I speak Dremel fluently! I'm going to try this.
(Dremel is one of those tools once you get adept at using, you just can't live without!)
The crack is below and slightly right of the far left spark plug.
I think I could finagle my way in there if I just removed the alternator!

I have some left over high temp JB weld from making a donut gasket for an old exaust system.
It's the putty type you cut and then knead to a consistent grey.
I have a sneaky suspicion they used the quick set tubes you squirt out equal measurements swirl together. Do you happen to recall which type they used?
Better yet, which would you be prone to using?
Thank ya kindly Mac.
You guys just rock!

 
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The crack is only about '1,1/4 long and doesn't seem to drip much coolant.
Most of it cooks and dehydrates on the block before it gets a chance to go anywhere.

I'm thinking I miiight actually have some luck with the JB Weld, I just hadn't thought of it for this application. It's pretty incredible stuff in and of itself.
It's so versatile I believe JB to be a fantastic Preppers item and we keep some in most of our bug-out bags and emergency boxes. Along with a hot glue stick and Bic lighter rubber banded together. LOL

I wonder if there is a thread of who has ran with a cracked block longest.
The PO was telling me about this crack well over a year ago and said he'd just add a little coolant before going on a long trip. There is a tiny part of me saying "Leave it be and just monitor everything.!"
While we all know that saying "If it's not broke don't fix it", I'm also a big fan of "If it's not COMPLETELY broke, don't fix it YET!"
I always seem to have a supply of procrastination in my tool box.
Meh...