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Engine Mounts
What we're going to talk about this week are engine mounts. We've got a lot of e-mails from viewers complaining about problems with their cars: noise, vibration, harshness, clunks, etc. Worn engine mounts could be the answer to their problems. Engine mounts typically support the weight of the engine, position the engine and control the movement of the engine. They also eliminate vibrations and harshness from coming into the chassis of the vehicle by using rubber for isolation.
This particular mount doesn't support the weight of the engine but it does control the position of the top of the engine. There is a large air gap on it where my right hand is and it's split on the left.
When I pull the vehicle back and forth there is a lot of movement in the mounts. That movement of the engine is producing a loud and annoying clunk in this vehicle.
We've received a lot of e-mails from viewers complaining about vibrations and harshness coming into a car with an automatic transmission when stopped at a red light. If you feel this harshness you may have an engine mount that has failed. Sometimes if engine oil gets on them, they will disintegrate. They can just fail from normal wear and tear, stress, you driving the car briskly, there are a number of reasons why they can fail but when they do fail you're going to feel that vibration and harshness coming into the vehicle. The way that we check for worn mounts is actually a little risky so I don't advise that you do it yourself, it's something that you want your mechanic or technician to do for you. It involves putting the car into gear and putting it under load. We stand off to the side of the car, never in front. We have an assistant put the car in gear and put it under a little bit of load by holding the brakes with one foot and gently tapping on the throttle to see how much movement is in the engine. We do the same in reverse. If you have a broken mount you will see an extreme movement when you put it under load. Again, don't do it yourself, have your mechanic or technician do it for you if you suspect any of those symptoms.
Till next time I'm Bill Gardiner for Motoring.
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