Front Engine Mount - Broken or Not?

loungesurfer · Post by **loungesurfer** » 31 Oct 2011, 00:23

Hi all,

I have little experience with engine mounts. Below is a photo of the front mount on my 2000 Volvo V70 GLE Turbo - 148K miles. It distinctly shows a separation of the rubber from the metal parts, thus, I've concluded this is what is causing the virbration. I've been getting a vibration at idle and on the road - more pronouced at higer speeds - above 70 MPH. All the other mounts look fine.

What are your thoughts - broken or not. If not, what else might be causing the vibration? Your input is appreciated.

Thanks in advance - Denys (aka loungesurfer)

Post by **erikv11** » 31 Oct 2011, 08:31

That mount is filled with hydraulic fluid. It is hard to tell from the picture but unless the fluid is leaking, it is probably not gone bad.

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 Oct 2011, 08:34

Wheel balance is suspect over 70 mph. Engine mount vibrations are usually felt at low road and engine speeds (e.g. accelerating off from a stoplight)

Does it make any difference in the vibration whether you are on or off the gas pedal?

shegarty · Post by **shegarty** » 31 Oct 2011, 08:48

i agree with jblackburn

jblackburn wrote:Wheel balance is suspect over 70 mph. Engine mount vibrations are usually felt at low road and engine speeds (e.g. accelerating off from a stoplight)

- i spent a lot of time chasing a vibration in my 740 which turned out to be bad engine mounts - the 740 uses similar hydraulic mounts so if yours is not leaking it is not likely the culprit - the leaking on mine was hard to see due to 350k on the car and a dirty engine bay - i would check alignment and suspension components (strut mounts, control arms, steering components) if it most pronounced at high speed - engine mounts usually give vibrations at characteristic rpm's and vary in intensity above and below their harmonic resonance points

loungesurfer · Post by **loungesurfer** » 31 Oct 2011, 10:40

Thanks for the excellent replies and guidance.

- Engine Mounts - I have not noticed any leaking, however, the vibration occurs at idle, low and high speed. If I put it in neutral the virbration disppears and varies in intensity depending on engine speed. This would indicate to me a different mount would be bad. I'll check them all again.

- Suspension Components - I would not suspect this since it occurs at idle.

Thanks again - Denys (aka loungesurfer)

Post by **erikv11** » 31 Oct 2011, 11:41

First mount to go is usually what is called the "front engine mount" which is located under the crank pulley, accessible through the passenger side wheel well.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 31 Oct 2011, 12:34

erikv11 wrote:First mount to go is usually what is called the "front engine mount" which is located under the crank pulley, accessible through the passenger side wheel well.

That one is not hydraulic and could easy cause vibration.
As stated, these things usually wear most often.

Get the FR of the car on a jack stand, Pull the FR tire,
fold back the fender liner and you'll find it. Place a small
bottle jack under the oilpan with a block of wood between
them. Lift it enough to inspect the mount. If it's bad, you'll know...
A blue box OEM is the recommended replacement for that one.

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 Oct 2011, 13:38

The transmission mount buckle also caused me a lot of vibration in Drive - and a loud clunk from D to R.

But I agree, I'd start with the "front" mount.