There’s no mystery in the name “engine mount.” The part quite literally mounts the engine into the chassis of the car. Engine mounts also isolate engine vibration and keep the engine from rocking back and forth. They ensure a smooth ride and a quiet cabin.
How Engine Mounts Work
The dried-out cracked rubber on this engine mount indicates that the unit is overdue for replacement.
At a minimum, there are two engine mounts on either side of the engine. But there are often mounts on both the front and back as well. In standard road vehicles, engine mounts are rubber or urethane pucks sandwiched between two metal brackets. In some luxury or performance cars, engine mounts are filled with fluid.
The harder they work, the quicker they wear out. Look to our guide for detailed instructions on how to replace engine mounts - opens in new window or tab..
How long should engine mounts last?
You can expect an engine mount to last between five years to a decade or more. We’re talking about 75,000 to 100,000 miles if the car is looked after. But that doesn’t mean they last forever, and they’re tough to ignore when they go bad.
What causes motor mounts to go bad?
Like any wear item, age, mileage, abuse, and neglect will all cause engine mounts to go bad. Oil, gas, or coolant leaks deteriorate the rubber or urethane. It’s the same story for salt and other contaminants that splash up from the road.
Faulty Engine Mount Symptoms
If your car has a faulty motor mount, excess vibration may occur whenever the engine is running.
A failed motor mount causes excessive vibration. Lots of things can cause you to feel a vibration while you’re driving, though. Even unbalanced tires can produce a vibration on the highway. Signs of bad engine mounts can be tricky to differentiate from a bad suspension component or unbalanced tires, but there are a couple of telltale signs.
First, the vibration will be present at idle, unlike vibrations from a bad suspension component or tire. Also, the vibration will increase as the engine goes up the rev counter. If you really aren’t sure, open the hood and give the engine a rev. If the engine moves around more than a fraction of an inch, there could be a bad engine mount. If it moves a lot under revs, that’s a surefire sign. Our explainer about car vibratrions goes into more detail - opens in new window or tab..
Can you drive with a bad engine mount?
You can drive with a bad engine mount for a while, but it’s not a great idea. The extra vibration stresses other components, and the vibration make the bad mount deteriorate more quickly. The stress eventually causes the other motor mounts to fail, making the problem worse.
You can put off changing a bad mount temporarily. But we recommend that you swap in a new mount as soon as possible.
You Can Replace Engine Mounts Yourself
It’s easier to remove and replace engine mounts in engine bays that are neither cramped nor rusty.
Replacing engine mounts is not a job for a total beginner, but it isn’t impossible. eBay has a great do-it-yourself guide here - opens in new window or tab., so if you’re thinking about doing the job, start there. You’ll also need a place to do the work and some specialized tools, such as an engine hoist. Remember: You have to remove an engine mount to do the work, so you’ll want to stabilize the engine as much as possible.
If you’re only replacing one motor mount, the job can be done in as little as an hour or two, but budget an afternoon for the work so you can take your time.
How Much to Spend on New Engine Mounts
A set of previously-owned OEM engine mounts can hold down costs in the near term. But if you plan on keeping the car for a while, new mounts are the way to go.
Use the eBay Parts Finder - opens in new window or tab. to find motor mounts for your exact make, model, engine, and trim. This is key. Each engine fits differently to each car, and the engine mounts are not necessarily interchangeable.
Searching eBay Parts Finder also lets you narrow the search so you can specify original equipment (OE) or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. These will be high-quality parts that are built to last.
Depending on the car, we would budget $350 to $500 for a complete set of engine mounts. It usually isn’t necessary to replace more than one mount at a time, but if one is worn out, chances are the others are close behind.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.