Lower front engine mount questions

davvver · Post by **davvver** » 21 Mar 2012, 08:41

I was told that I should change my lower front engine mount soon and the rear engine mount (the hydraulic filled mounts). My mechanic is very fussy however and I don't think they are leaking or that bad yet. The car doesn't really vibrate noticeably and everything seems fine. The car has 222000KMs on it now. I had the upper engine mount changed with an OEM part.

Can anyone tell me (a) how to tell if I need new mounts. (b) when do they typically need to be changed and what are the symptoms. and (c) what is the best brand to go with or a reasonable brand that works well.

Thank!

Post by **erikv11** » 21 Mar 2012, 09:28

For hydraulic engine mounts:

(a) if they are leaking hydraulic fluid, or there is excessive vibration or the engine is shifting while driving, or the mount is visibly collapsed (a little sagging is fine).
(b) typically never, although when I pulled the engine I swapped them anyway because they were right there.
(c) best brand is OEM, I think it is Hutchinson. You do NOT want to have to go back in there to replace some aftermarket junk mount, for sure stay 100 miles away from the URO part.

Post by **rspi** » 21 Mar 2012, 09:35

The front mount will tear, sag, etc., on to the frame. Here are some details:
http://www.atthetipwebs.com/technologyi ... _right.htm

Post by **erikv11** » 21 Mar 2012, 09:38

OP is not actually asking about the front mount, but about hydraulic mounts.

davvver · Post by **davvver** » 21 Mar 2012, 10:00

Thanks for the info! Yes the car seems to be acting just fine.... and he did say they were sagging a bit but not toast.... so I think i will wait a while. The car is a summer car anyways so I don't see why they would not last longer. I do however have an exhaust leak coming from the manifold flex pipe... its not bad now but Im preparing to change that and i see there is a lot of good advice here on that!

Post by **rspi** » 21 Mar 2012, 20:36

Do that ASAP. I believe exhaust manifold leaks can cause problems with burnt valves.

davvver · Post by **davvver** » 22 Mar 2012, 07:22

Oh I didn't know that! Well in that case im going to have it installed right away! Im ordering it today.

Post by **erikv11** » 22 Mar 2012, 07:26

rspi wrote: ... I believe exhaust manifold leaks can cause problems with burnt valves.

I've never heard of that before, and I don't see any reason why a leaky exhaust manifold would affect the valves.

Not to say you shouldn't get it fixed, but the main difference will probably be noise and the pollution effects of not running the exhaust gases through the cat.