Automobile engines produce a lot of vibration when they are running. Without the parts that we call motor mounts, the vibration will transmit throughout the entire vehicle and be very uncomfortable for anyone inside while you drive around Pasadena.
Motor mounts are parts that keep your vehicle’s engine attached to its body. Typically, there are up to four motor mounts which attach the motor to the frame. Most motor mounts have rubber in them to reduce the contact points of the metal of the engine with the body of the car, reducing vibrations which may cause damage or make parts wear out faster. Additional dampening can be achieved by filling the mount with a liquid instead, which is a feature of high end mount products and car models.
One of the most common symptoms of completely worn motor mounts is repeated impact sounds in the engine bay. The engine is no longer secure and shifts from side to side, bumping into the walls of its frame.
Another common symptom of engine mounts wearing out is excess vibration, caused by the rubber or fluid inside of the mount wearing out.
If your engine moves around in the engine bay, you most likely have a bad mount. A secure engine is the primary function of the motor mounts, and worn mounts will allow the engine to move in all directions. You can hear this movement when you accelerate and the engine vibrates more intensely. This can affect passenger safety as well as lead to damage of delicate components. To avoid this, you can perform regular inspections on the car.
Another possibility is badly aligned mounts. A failing set of mounts causes the engine to droop to one side or tilt. Slight tilting will not affect the capability of the engine but the engine can actually flood and fail if it tilts too far to one side, leading to a breakdown.
In the most extreme situations, a badly worn mount can break and fail catastrophically, leading to the entire engine bouncing around, parts failing, and possible loss of control, which can cause a fatal accident at high speed.
Vibrations in the engine block are the most common cause of damage to the most delicate parts of the engine. Excessive vibrations can lead to needing thousands of dollars in repairs. The purpose of motor mounts is to prevent these vibrations from occurring. The vibrations are dampened and don’t impact the other parts of the engine as much. In addition to keeping your engine connected to the frame, mounts are the first line of defense against damaging vibrations in your vehicle.
The longer you wait, the more the repair will cost. Prevention is the cheapest and most effective method. The cost of replacing a cracked or broken mount can range up to $600 depending on your vehicle. The labor costs more than the parts themselves.
Taking good care of your motor mounts is crucial to maintaining safety on the road. If you suspect that you have a motor mount failing, or would like to get them inspected, come in to your Certified Auto Repair Specialist of Pasadena today!