How to Diagnose a Deteriorating Front Engine Mounting

It’s normal for engine mounts to wear out over time, especially after 5 years or 100,000 miles. When an engine mount wears out, it loses its strength and fails to support the engine.

What Happens When a Front Engine Mount Fails

When the engine isn’t well supported, your ride quality will suffer, and you may also run into some issues like excess noise and vibration. The mounts are supposed to keep your engine firmly in place. When they fail, your engine will move around more than it should. This places more stress on the chassis where the mounts are attached. This can lead to cracking in these areas.

It’s also not unheard of for other components to get damaged, as well. For example, the radiator hoses could get stretched out of shape and possibly tear and leak.

The bottom line is that a bad engine mount can lead to serious issues. That’s why it’s critical to diagnose the issue as soon as you notice the symptoms of a worn engine mount.

Symptoms of a Bad Front Engine Mount

The first step towards preventing the issues discussed above is recognizing the signs of a bad front engine mount. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Excess noise and vibration
A rougher drivetrain feel when shifting gears
Increased wheel hop on hard acceleration

Testing Your Mounts in 5 Steps

The best way to confirm your suspicions is to twist your engine. To do this:

Park your car on a flat surface.
Engage the parking brake.
Shift the transmission into drive (or gear).
With a friend standing outside watching the engine, press down on the brake pedal and then slowly push the gas pedal. Do not exceed 2000 RPM. If one of the mounts is broken, the engine will move excessively.
Shift the transmission into reverse and then repeat the process.

If your friend notices the engine moving, then chances are high you’ve got a bad engine mount. The next step would be to physically inspect each one to figure out which one needs to be replaced. Don’t forget to check related parts, too: