To ensure your acoustic comfort while driving, you’ll need to ensure your car’s engine mount is in good working order. Otherwise, you may experience excessive engine vibrations and shaking when you start your car or while driving.
Located in strategic points of any car, this component, also known as a motor mount, undergoes natural wear, worsened by poor driving practices or poor maintenance.
The result is discomfort while driving, and in extreme cases, it can lead to more severe situations such as road accidents.
As prevention is better than a cure, it’s important to understand what this component is, how it works, and how it can be upkept to avoid unwanted scenarios.
What is an engine mount?
An engine mount is, in short, a component that connects the engine, transmission and car body so as to provide a more stable ride.
What does an engine mount do?
The main role of an engine mount is to absorb vibrations, noises, and movements from the transmission system so that they are not passed on to other vehicle components.
As such, engine mounts are reinforced with rubber and metal or made with hydraulic damping, depending on the model.
Where is an engine mount located?
Engine mounts are generally located in positions with poor visibility, that is, under your car engine.
As such, when your engine mount needs replacing, it can be difficult to locate it.
As the component undergoes a lot of wear, it is important to be aware of some signs indicating that your car’s engine mount is broken.
As engine mounts work as claws, fixing your car engine in place, it is normal to hear noises coming from your engine when one or more of these claws break, as it is partially loose.
What are the symptoms of a damaged engine mount?
The following symptoms may be observable should your car engine mount have been damaged:
- Oil leaks or signs of deteriorated rubber;
- Your engine visibly moves when the engine is switched off;
- Noises when load changes take place in the vehicle;
- Vibrations transmitted to your vehicle body with greater force;
- Noise coming from the engine while driving, especially when accelerating or changing gear.
Should you note one or more of the symptoms above, you should replace all your engine mounts as quickly as possible.
Why? Because failing to do so puts any new components at greater risk of absorbing higher forces and vibrations, therefore intensifying their deterioration.
Can you test whether you have a damaged engine mount?
To find out if you have a broken engine mount, conduct the following test:
- Start your car engine and check whether your steering wheel or gearbox is vibrating excessively, even when your car is stationary;
- Drive on uneven road surfaces to check whether your car makes louder noises than usual or has difficulty changing gears.
If you notice one or more symptoms, it is likely that your car’s engine mount is damaged.
How can you ensure your engine mount is upkept?
To extend the service life of your engine mount, it is important to take certain precautions, such as:
- Avoiding accelerating suddenly, especially on steep inclines, bumps, or ramps;
- Adapt your driving when on roads with potholes or other conditions that may wear down your car’s components;
- Ensure your engine mounts are serviced regularly, ideally every 30 or 50 thousand kilometres, or according to the instructions provided in your car owner’s manual;
- Avoid installing sport suspension kits, as they are closer to the ground. Also, it is worth remembering that maintaining a vehicle’s original properties generally contributes to engine mount durability.
How can you replace your engine mounts?
When you see that an engine mount is broken, the first thought you’ll likely have is to replace it at your own risk. However, doing so is not recommended, as you may not have the tools and knowledge necessary to change the component.
In summary, replacing your engine mount is a laborious task as some cars may require you to lift your car engine using a hydraulic jack to remove the car radiator, headlight, and elements of the exhaust system.
To be sure that your engine mounts are replaced correctly, ensuring your safety on the road, the best course of action is to use a specialised workshop.
How much does an engine mount cost?
To understand how much you’ll need to spend on an engine mount, consider that the final price will depend on the type of vehicle, product manufacturer, and technical specifications of the mount. However, prices of engine mounts generally range between €10 and €70.
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