What are the symptoms of a damaged car engine mount?
3 Answers
Engine mount damage primarily manifests as increased noise during vehicle startup, which can generally affect the driver's comfort. The mount's function is to absorb engine vibrations, preventing them from being directly transmitted to the vehicle body. Below are key details about engine mounts: 1. The primary role of an engine mount is to reduce engine vibration transfer to the frame. Engine mounts contain rubber components designed to dampen operational resonance. 2. Some mounts incorporate hydraulic fluid for additional vibration absorption, though their core purpose remains identical. Damaged mounts allow engine vibrations to permeate the entire vehicle structure.
I've been a car mechanic for many years and often come across vehicles with damaged engine mounts. The symptoms are particularly obvious. When the car starts, you'll feel the steering wheel and seats shaking violently, and the noise while driving is especially loud, like a booming or knocking sound. It's even worse at idle; the engine position shifts, causing the car body to sway left and right. Sometimes when you press the accelerator to speed up, the engine jumps up and down, making it feel unstable. That's not all—the transmission and exhaust pipe could also get damaged as a result. I recommend checking the engine bay's mounting bolts as soon as vibrations appear, as aging or cracked rubber in the mounts often causes this issue. Get to a repair shop and replace the parts as soon as possible. Otherwise, the smoothness of driving will disappear, fuel consumption will rise sharply, and safety risks will increase, especially at high speeds where loss of control becomes more likely. In short, don't delay—small issues can turn into big troubles.
My old car had a broken engine mount, and the symptoms were really annoying. After starting, the steering wheel shook so much it made my hands numb. While driving, the seat also vibrated, especially when going over speed bumps or shifting into neutral—the engine made loud popping noises. The noise was terrifyingly loud, like a drum banging nonstop. Once at a red light, the front of the car wobbled noticeably, and when accelerating, the engine position even tilted, making the drivetrain squeal. I think this issue not only affected comfort but also wasted fuel. Later, after replacing the mount, everything smoothed out. Everyone should pay attention to regular maintenance—when rubber parts age, this happens. Don’t skimp on repairs when needed.
