Bad Engine Mount - Diagnose and Repair

[@Dugar1]

Hey Eric O. As usual awesome video. I'm a Certified GM technician and deal with these vehicle all the time almost 90 percent of the Lucernes that come through here have destroyed front mounts. I usually take the tripod and lift the engine high enough to clear the and time saved lol. I love all of your videos and keep up the excellent work bud. Oh a remember TORQUE IT TO SPEC

[@mericafreedomland3583]

cvmiata super common on those the impalas with the 3900, buick lucernes..... Also a GM cert tech my self

[@schigara]

Eric, I just received my Astro Onyx 1822 Nano 1/2" impact a couple days ago and I just love that thing! I used it for the first job yesterday replacing the stock upper camber arms with new adjustable camber arms on a 93 300ZX Convertible and it was small enough to get in there and I did not have to use a manual ratchet at all. It made the job so easy. The IR 231c would never have fit in all those places to get all the nuts and bolts. Your channel is awesome and I have learned a lot but the exposure to your great taste in tools is putting a strain on my tool budget as I am spending a lot more on tools now. Oh well, who ever dies with the most tools wins. I am gonna pick up the Astro 1128 3/8 mini air ratchet next week. Keep up the great work. I have watched all your videos twice.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Astro is a great company I have found out. If you have any problems just call them. great people right in CA

[@BigDog50001]

South Main Auto Repair My Astro 40SL light just started randomly flickering when I use it now. I hope they take care of it.

[@SouthMainAuto]

call them

[@vipervette03]

" Lifts go up, lifts go down" that''s a classic SMA line. Have a happy and safe thanks giving, and than you for all the videos.

[@aaronmoss8733]

Love your videos. I’m active duty stationed in Hawaii and bought a island beater to get around. I have several things that need to be done to it and this is one of them. Keep them coming.

[@danseman1]

Nice video Eric. I even enjoyed your interruption from the office. Makes it more "life-like...real". Looking forward to more of you sharing your expertise. Thanks.

[@jwingo7257]

Dave denton You seem like a really regular, easy going guy. Enjoyed the video especially the “reach around ratchet”! Cool dog, nice real life interrupt by I’m assuming your wife.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

You have my ratchet! I've owned it 16 years now. The thing broke right out of the gate, so it sat in my toolbox for almost 10 years before I finally remembered to bring it to work one day and have the Snap-On guy replace it. It's been used almost daily for the past 6 years, and never misses a beat. :) I had a bad motor mount in my '72 El Camino for years. Every time I'd leave from a stop, about 1,000 feet up the road, I'd get a big THUD as the engine came back down on the mount (when I finally let up on the pedal, lol). It had completely separated from the engine. Probably put 40k miles on it like that, and only fixed it for the guy who bought it. :D Oh, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and the family! CHEERS

[@SouthMainAuto]

Lol cool story man! Happy thanksgiving to you too!

[@ThePlowGuys]

Nice video. simple to the point and requires no pricey diagnostic equipment. This is the perfect DIY'ers repair. Good job Eric. -John

[@SouthMainAuto]

Come on I have more money wrapped up in my diagnostic brain than I do in a tool John! Haha jk'in Thanks man and have a happy Turkey day!

[@frugalprepper]

Rear mont bad on these will cause it to vibrate like crazy at a stop light and I will cause the passenger axle to bind up up and go bad as well.

[@michaelsorrentino588]

great job diagnosis

[@jimcollins-t2b]

Excellent informative video, as are all of yours I've viewed. Your camera work and audio are always top notch. Thanks for your efforts to inform us shade tree mechanics.

[@cjones4512]

Good to see videos again. I imagine you have been quite busy with people trying to get their cars ready for winter. I know I have been.

[@mbtjr]

I had a 68 Fairlane for two years in high school (84-85), and for nearly all the time I had it there was one broken motor mount. Every time I'd put it in gear and put my foot to the floor, the engine would twist and crimp the throttle linkage. As you can imagine, the car would have a mind of its own at that point and the only option to free the linkage was to shut off ignition. My friends got a real kick out of it. Incidentally, those were some tough motor mounts on the Fairlane considering how much abuse it took with a broken one.

[@Kurtdog63]

I tested mounts on 07 impala. As soon as it was put in drive, the engine moved/torqued A LOT. Did not even have to press the gas to see it was moving way too much. Symptom was vibration going down the road especially at certain speeds, 51 mph in this case. Already had tires rotated and balanced and did not fix. There are six mounts in a kit for impala. Some for motor, others for transmission. Thanks for posting.

[@pammyp3553]

Thank you Eric! Even though this was filmed in 2016, this is good solid information for 2021 ! Never knew this could happen to an engine bracket. Loved the close-ups and step by step...good video!

[@georgeriverasr.6298]

Love your video, very understanding instructions. And love your personal life you include in your videos. Please dont stop. I learn a lot from you thanks George Rivera. Texas.

[@chungaleta1234]

Just had mine replaced yesterday. I replaced all the front suspension parts including the engine mounts on my S10. It looked so easy on this car,,, On my truck it was a job I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

[@RaoulThomas007]

chungaleta1234 Is your S10 4WD? They are a B___h!

[@djquack13]

Short and sweet! I smash the like button before I even watch the videos! Seems like the most efficient thing to do.

[@johnmckamy6398]

so glad to be back , I've been having SMA withdraws . been on vacation down in the San Antonio visiting my family

[@moldingpro7208]

I wish you were here in Illinois - need someone here to trust like you to work on my car.

[@2eagle86]

wish you made more videos everyday....only thing I look forward too everytime!

[@Kidsbabyplay]

⁹ppp

[@crystalcoleman8668]

I had all 4 mounts replaced in my van, like a mth ago , and all was good, then a week ago , I started getting that Clunk when I put it in drive . Just like before, I have heard they can go bad real quick if they are cheap ones , or if they are not alighned right ,

[@CoopersAutomotiveRepair]

Good Morning Eric. Good work. Have you ever supported the engine. Then Support the front of the sub-frame remove the front sub frame bolts Lower the sub frame remove the mount. with out having to remove the bracket. I know your going to say. To much rust and the bolts will break off or strip. Right?

[@dancraig7438]

Mounts are a favorite of mine. Some can be a bit of a pain but since you can feel the difference when you’re done

[@charlesmiller5078]

As Vanessa says , "The People need to Know" Have a good Thanks given, Eric and Family. I Know you will.. I Like How Vanessa looks out for us :), We The People Thank Her.

[@SouthMainAuto]

I will give her word and let her know that the people have spoke

[@craighumphris5171]

Charles Miller Giday mate. Ok, I got in early for this years RCN. Booked into Daly River Pub Monday 27th Aug, Wauchope Pub Tuesday 28th. Still,gives me time for a quick dip at Mataranka. If your keen, still rooms available.

[@lisacabedo4373]

Charles Miller how to change passenger front engine mount Chevy Aveo

[@dam4274]

My son had a Neon. Don’t remember the year. Brought it in to the tire center to replace the motor mounts. They bought some cheap Chinese ones to put in and they both went bad. Had them replaced under their warranty. Car still made an odd noise. Looked up the appropriate video for the motor mounts and found there was a third mount under the battery box. I changed that one. Car still made an odd noise upon acceleration but otherwise ran fine.

[@Neil5.0lx]

Another awesome video from eric, happy thanksgiving to you and to your family....

[@TeemarkConvair]

brings to mind a friends 59 catalina; if he accelerated to hard the throttle/pedal went to the floor until the trans shifted. a fun experience. with my 17 year old enthusiasm i decided to put my hand under the linkage so i could stop the throttle from "flooring".. well, i STILL remember that experience! and the PAIN across my 4 fingers!

[@neiliosr8]

another great video Eric and have a great thanksgiving to you and your family

[@thestig1899]

Can bad mounts cause torque steer when you accelerate on highway? Or would it be cv axles ?

[@Kirawolf1971]

Yes, bad mounts cause torque steer. I've had cars with bad mounts torque steer.

[@pospc2]

I had a bad mount on my engine. It actually fell apart when i was removing it. Like the top mounting plate was in the engine still while i was holding the rubber in my hand

[@justinwork6520]

Thank you. This video has saved me $$$. Keep doing what your doing man. Subscribed.

[@ericcorse]

Eric O Mrs O is never an unwanted distraction. Is the index-able ratchet a SO? I've got a1/4" but nothing bigger. Looks handy.

[@notejones9927]

Harbor freight has one with life time warranty

[@timbabyak8143]

It's almost 1 am so I will test this out tomorrow on my 2004 Ford Expedition. My upper radiator hose keeps blowing off and I tried new thermostat , new upper hose, new coolant cap, flushed the radiator several times....But was wondering if my motor mounts are in need of replacement and that's why my upper hose keeps popping off.??? The first time it happened was when I really stepped into it in-order to get up to highway speed. Maybe that was when the mount or mounts failed enough for the first time. The engine will run for weeks at proper temperature and then she'll pop again... Never overheats either...just keeps blowing the upper hose...Hmmmm... Great Video

[@arciefan]

Ev1 keeps talking about not removing that bracket. I'm guessing that locator pin and more than that, the stud has to go thru that bracket also has changed the game , to make it necessary to remove it now. I've changed that front one on older buick before without having to do more than remove the nuts and support the engine but not on a lucerne. Aggravating the way those mounts don't hold up. Excellent repair video as always and Happy Thanksgiving to all the SMA crew !

[@chrisbaltazar6895]

Great video bro 👌🏻, shouldn’t you change both ?

[@HAL-dm1eh]

You should have seen my 94 Taurus. You didn't have to guess. You could watch it clunk around in the engine compartment like a rock rolling around in there. Ford in their genius decided to give it a rubber mount filled with hydraulic fluid, which rotted away the rubber containing it. Was totally gone. When I saw it (while examining something else) I was like, so THAT'S why I have an exhaust leak. Engine was ripping the exhaust up!

[@inhaleanthrax1333]

David McClelland im having problems with my 2005 all tbe mounts are broken and all the hoses keep falling off because of it .. Never get a ex cop car

[@davestout8471]

The engine mount bolts upfront on those ford Taurus are known to back out completely. Guess how I figured that out.

[@FernandoRodriguez-ds5ri]

I felt a force of energy pulling my thumb to click on "subscribe"!

[@djshortcutz]

thanks for the info at the end i believe i am having the lean problem on my 2011 wk2 due to clunk noise as well i applied what u said about thr motor mount and ur right the motor mount was shot thanks again brother

[@goose42195]

I like the good ol" fashioned parts repairs videos now and again. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@shahsmerdis]

Great video ! I'm i the only one that noticed this is an 06, and its not rusted through? Better yet no rust at all! -Happy Thanksgiving SMA! Hope you guys have a great one

[@Blazer02LS]

Probably has 10,000 miles on it and only gets driven in the summer.

[@SouthMainAuto]

PA car ;)

[@jtoddk98]

PA doesn't salt roads?

[@shahsmerdis]

jtoddk98 probably not as much as Rochester Avoca area.they also use liquid brine solution that does penetrate through frames

[@anthonymaresca485]

VERY GOOD VEDIO. EXPLAINED PROCEDURE VERY WELL. THANK YOU.

[@court7859]

One of the best channels on KZbin!! Do you done engine mount replacement on the Tacoma second generation???? Thanks

[@Michael-fw5ef]

1. Eric great video. I own a Civic and when I go forward at slow speed and when I reverse at slow speed, my dash vibrates and I think it is one of my engine mounts that needs replacing. Thank you for the instruction video. 1. Your wife made me laugh when she said................'Well if it is wrong, it's your fault'. My wife says the exact same thing to me when she isnt sure of something but wants to avoid making an error.

[@shanielclarke1210]

Did it stop?

[@Michael-fw5ef]

@@shanielclarke1210The sound went away, but I didnt do anything. It went away on its own. It is probably an engine mount that is going bad

[@gabrielanthony1325]

Awesome being able to get it done with all the proper tools. A true mechanic.

[@tom7601]

Before your day, GM modified the driver side motor mount on their V8s. The mount would tear and the engine lifted up so the fan hit the shroud. The fix was a 1/4" cable wrapped around the upper part of the mount then connected to a lower mount bolt. If the mount broke you'd never notice it. At the time a fairly well known bandage.

[@shaneharrison4775]

Yeah favorite repair on a 87 eurosport sport sedan 2.5 liter had to change all 3 and the dogbone, same with the 92 pontiac lemans two door coup with a 2.2liter

[@gocars3210]

Ahh memories. Reminds me of my 97 & 98 dodge neons. Factory front motor mount was made of bubble gum. The fix was to swap out to the ACR unit. The rubber in them was hard as a rock. No vibration isolation at idle, BUT THEY DIDNT BREAK.

[@romulobacas5217]

Thank you sir for sharing your know-how to us. More power.

[@nicknicu1787]

The Doc is back after a short vacation! :)

[@SouthMainAuto]

Yeah tough doing vids in the middle of deer season haha

[@billleslie5215]

South Main Auto Repair video is nicely done nice work

[@ponyhorse127]

Thank you so much for this video Eric!!!!.....it is so much usefull!!!....above all, how to do to be sure that motor mounts are bad???!!!!....and that ratched!!!...is magic!!! hahahaha....I´ll get one of those!!!, without it, that bolt would be a nightmare!!!!....imposible to get out!!! hahahahaa...Dont forget us Eric!!! (quite long without a video)...Greetings to all at SMA!!!!....Have a good Thanks Given Day everybody!!!!

[@jimcapelli1431]

Excellent video Eric. I am trying to change mine (2007 Lucerne) I can't seem to get leverage on that top bolt using the swivel though. I am afraid I might strip it. Also, do I need that flex head ratchet for that top bracket bolt, or can I get by with a swivel and a short extension? It seemed like you broke that one loose easily. Please advise.

[@smirkinatu5512]

Thank you for posting this video.

[@martymeyer4125]

Beautiful, getting ready to do this now.

[@realworldmechanic]

way is everyone so critical on the small all stuff,maybe they should make their own channel, I think your doing a great job,keep it up. peace

[@konstantinusstoyanov9749]

Great techniques, wasn't clear before I watched it

[@ryans413]

An engine support bar be nice for this job if you don’t have a lift and it’s better then supporting it with the oil pan. What I used to change all my engine and transmission mounts.

[@alistairpowers8129]

Good job Eric, thanks for posting, Is it a Florida car? not seeing any rust

[@FernandoRodriguez-ds5ri]

I have to agree with most, great video. I just wished that you had driven the car before so we could compare the clunky noise to our cars. Mine is a making a noise to, first shop I took my car to told me it was the lower arms, and the second guy at a different shop said it was my motor mounts, he did the same test that you showed on your video when you put it on drive, it did had some movement, all along I thought it was normal on most cars. Second I wish you could show the or compare the new motor mount next to the new motor mount for us to see the difference. All and all great video. Btw cool pencil like flash light. Thumbs up! Btw I own a Cadillac SRX 2011 Dallas Texas.

[@cw2lido]

Happy Thanksgiving from Iraq! My 06 Grand Prix GXP had that same issue with the motor mount in the front (different engine but same issue). Mine had split in half and I found out it was bad as I was taking out the motor to repair a rear main seal and address some broken exhaust bolts in the back of the motor since they are hard to reach, figured why not just pull the motor out.

[@aviezek3072]

thanks for the video. i had all 4 of the engine mounts replaced about 4 months ago, and now i notice that when starting up the engine kind of shakes more than when the engine mounts were brand new. and also when i put in drive or reverse, theres quite a movement of the engine either forward/backwards. but when new, the engine barely moved when put in d/r,.. is that how engine mounts are like after several months..or have they gone bad?

[@northpoint1039]

I just went thru this with my 2008 Lucerne. I honestly thought it was a problem with the transmission hard shifting. I also noticed that I felt every small bump in the road (I had replaced my struts a bit ago because they were bad). I figured my tranny was going and that I just had poor quality struts. Took it to trans shop and they found the engine mount bad. I guess you learn something every day right? I felt dumb - but I am not a mechanic by trade but like to do all the work (if possible) on my cars. This one just slipped by me. Runs great now. I guess with the broken mount, Any suspension vibration was amplified because of the lose engine. No more "hard shifts", Runs very nice now.

[@MakQeen]

I’m having this same problem. Thought the same thing you did, bad trans. But my car was vibrating more than normal and I keep having a hard clunk between 1st and 2nd gears and clunking when I would come to a stop. Had someone get in the car and put it in reverse and park back and forth and sure enough the engine moved very visibly back and forth forward and back. So I think my mount (dogbone) the one in the middle underneath is the bad one.

[@northpoint1039]

@@MakQeen Its kinda relieving to figure out its the mount instead of the transmission :)

[@MakQeen]

@@northpoint1039 yeah same! I’ve already had one motor mount done although I wasn’t told which one it was… so it’s funny how I have another one bad… the last one was “done” a month ago. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@danieltorrey5330]

My wife's car shakes after it warms up sitting at a light or stop sign only in drive gear, not in reverse. Any ideas would be great ty. Ps. Love your videos, I have learned alot from them.

[@voongnz]

No threadlocking needed? Thanks for the vid.

[@ericktrevino8054]

Hey eric, i have i dont know if my engine mounts are going bad. When i enage drive, i feel vibration inside the vehicle. I have a 2011 kia soul. I thought it was a misfire concern but i fixed it. Wish i was a badass mechanic like u

[@satamanschmidt3428]

When did they change from the front torque struts that attach to the radiator support. My 3800 did not have this type of engine mount setup. It had two wishbones in the front (that attached to the radiator support as mentioned) and one on the bottom that straddled the oil pan and was a major pain to replace. I had never seen a 3800 with this arrangement.

[@Blazer02LS]

Depends on the model. The "performance" versions still have the wishbone torque struts on the front.

[@wysetech2000]

+SATAMAN Schmidt GM has been using those since they decided that the old style seldom broke.

[@kmt01]

Sorry if I missed it - what about how some bad motor mounts can cause the knock sensor to pull timing when the engine bangs hard on something else...maybe not throw a code, but ghost certain performance issues?

[@luisherrera3896]

Very good video, I just have one question, in the case you don´t know the torque specs for a motor mount, what would you suggest to do? thanks for advance

[@rejmonwilson]

I have one of that bent ratchet, husky made them, got mine from the Home. Depot years ago.

[@catnapwat]

You forgot to say click when you torqued it to spec Eric!

[@steveorshon]

Or two ooooga-dooogas.

[@fightthepeople5454]

If the front mount is bad then i would changr the rear mount also. The front back lift from the engine torque will stress out the rear. I would change all 4 if possible. I bought a complete mount set on line for 67$ free shipping.

[@johnfrese4851]

But you would have to figure that a person would be able to afford to replace on at that time. But I go agree with you replacement of all three if possible. But it is also mount plus labor and x all and labor

[@allcureman3403]

nice eric! we been missing ya.

[@ivorwm2291]

Thanks for posting

[@peterta9274]

good work thanks nice to watch

[@jakeornot6306]

Well done. I do wish the sound had been recorded. Maybe for another video.

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Happy Thanksgiving Eric to you & your family

[@SouthMainAuto]

Thanks sir and happy thanksgiving to you and your too!

[@davidhinkle2207]

On the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica when frt mount goes bad it also pulls the top radiator hose back or off causing a leak.

[@adamlenning6076]

Great video as always Eric! Hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving! From Texas!

[@testosteroneinc.3800]

No $10k snap-on scanner? No hour long lesson in quantum physics? Now this is a video I can understand. Thanks Mr O for these shorter dyi freindly vids..😆

[@MrHotkidd12]

wow such a great video. Love the angle!

[@Scrufdog]

good morning. Happy Turkey Day.

[@GodKedon]

had the rear motor mount on my mazda3 go. the symptom was not being able to shift gears, you would hit the gate instead of going into gear. was still under warranty at the time, and the dealership wanted to replace the transmission...

[@aboutmyfathersbusiness8324]

On a side note; beware of silicone aftermarket motor/tranny mounts. They say they have extra longevity but you sacrifice vibration for the extra toughness. And Hooray for mama!!!

[@snw56]

Nice job Eric!

[@jamespearce7954]

Good video. Great info.

[@dejeunomala5697]

Great video, well done. Thanks.

[@gmtech2012]

Be careful with those engine mount brackets. I've managed to arc on the starter and practice some welding. I've changed many of these mounts and sometimes it happens haha

[@mrbreezeet1]

Disconnect the battery? 😂

[@GNX157]

How did the torque strut mount look? Usually if the engine can move that much, the torque strut is hammered out as well.

[@oreotcat]

Great job Eric O! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@steveoktay]

My wifes cruze had the centre bolt completely missing from the front mount causing a rattle that would occur only when idling in drive. Took me ages to diagnose. I really thought it was the transmission chain because it sounded like a chain rattle.

[@mfm6]

I have the same car with the same problem. I hope I can get this done by myself and save some money. Do you think you can lift up the motor and replace the motor mount without removing the bracket?

[@cpowerscpo2002]

another great one happy thanksgiving be safe god bless

[@bigmike4720]

If the mount is bad will it cause front end to shimmy when going down road

[@KennyDundas]

Good job

[@darylzero3139]

Nice one Dr. O. We won't mind if you put out videos you have already done before, ie changing brakes, cv shafts. Each model must have little variances to getting er done. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@Mrflash222006]

Jug face at 3.10, did Mrs O give you a hand gesture as she closed the door lol, interesting vid as usual mr o

[@squirrelkilla7371]

Mine was sheered in half. Once it was replaced THEN you feel what else was bad. The CV Axles were bad, power steering pump started making noise. All that twisting on the engine is not good at all in the long run.

[@RotoRCol]

just I didn't understand how to check them, you put it in drive and press the throttle a little bit but at the same time are you pressing the brakes? or it was in the lift. and happy thanksgivings Eric

[@GodfatherBenz]

rotoR Col drive + max brake pressure. Has to be automatic transmission though

[@jimpinckard7891]

Happy turkey day Eric.

[@ffog461]

Great job as always! Have a nice Thanksgiving!

[@chosipian]

very useful !!! Thanks!!