Symptoms Of Bad Motor Mounts & How To Fix Them
Posted on: 25 February 2015
Your motor mounts should last around 3 years, so it's not strange when your motor mounts go bad. Motor mounts essentially keep your engine in place. The following guide will help you diagnose bad motor mounts and help you replace them.
Symptoms to Look For
Signs:
- Engine vibrations: Motor mounts keep your engine in place. This is necessary because the power that your engine creates also causes your engine to vibrate. This vibration worsens when you rev your engine or accelerate.
- Engine rattling: Pay attention to your engine when you are idling. Your engine moves side to side when idling. Your motor mounts should stop your engine from hitting other engine compartments, but bad motor mounts can't do this efficiently. This may cause a rattling noise while idling.
- Unnatural engine position: Your motor mounts keep your engine in place. Check to see if your engine looks lopsided or if it sags.
You want to take care of these issues as soon as possible. The excessive rattling or tilted engine can break your hoses, belts or your exhaust manifold. The rattling could cause hard shifting during high speeds and harsh turns. Do not hesitate to talk to your auto care specialist if you do not feel comfortable taking care of this issue on your own.
Changing Your Motor Mounts
Necessary items:
- Jack stands
- Screwdriver
- Wrench set
- Ratchet and socket set
- Thread locking compound
- Pry bar
- Your owner's manual
- 2 new motor mounts that fit your particular vehicle
Steps:
- Park your car in a safe working area on level ground.
- You have two motor mounts, which are usually located under your battery and under your air filter. But you can look in your owner's manual for a more exact position. You have to remove both of these compartments to gain access to your motor mounts.
- Place your jack and gently lift the area where your motor mounts are. This will give your engine enough support while you exchange the motor mount.
- Lift and slightly support the area under the first motor mount you are going to exchange.
- Remove the 2 bolts holding the motor mount in place. Replace this motor mount with your new motor mount and re-attach. Remember to use the thread compound to seal the bolts that hold your motor mount in place. You can remove the jack, and lift the area under the second motor mount.
- Replace your second motor mount, and re-attach the engine compartments that you had to remove to gain access to your motor mounts.
As you can see, replacing your motor mounts should not be too hard. You do need to talk to your auto care specialist if the motor mounts are too hard to get to or if you cannot complete this job on your own. Contact a company like Joe Troegner Auto Service for more information.
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