What are the symptoms of a damaged rear engine mount?
2 Answers
When the rear engine mount is damaged, it can cause abnormal vibrations during engine operation, and these vibrations may be directly transmitted to the vehicle body. Explanation of the cause: Typically, the engine is secured by three mounts. Over prolonged use, the rubber in the mounts continuously endures pressure and high temperatures. When one of the mounts becomes worn or damaged, the pressure on the remaining two mounts increases, reducing their ability to absorb vibrations. As a result, the driver may notice increased engine vibrations, indicating a need for inspection and timely replacement. Introduction to engine mounts: Engine mounts are rubber blocks placed between the engine and the vehicle frame. Since the engine generates vibrations during operation, automotive engineers use rubber pads between the engine mounts and the frame to minimize the transmission of these vibrations to the cabin. This design effectively reduces engine vibrations and provides a smoother, more stable operation, enhancing driving comfort for the occupants.
My old car has clocked 80,000 kilometers, and the rear engine mount failure is particularly noticeable. During ignition startup, the body suddenly jerks violently, with steering wheel vibrations resembling a phone's vibration mode. Idling at red lights is the most uncomfortable—both the seat and accelerator pedal resonate visibly, and you can see ripples in drinks placed on the passenger-side cup holder. When climbing at low RPMs, a metallic 'clunking' sound comes from the engine bay, accompanied by rhythmic 'click-click' noises during hard acceleration. The most annoying part is going over speed bumps—it feels like the entire powertrain is wobbling, causing the steering wheel to pull to one side. Such issues must be repaired promptly, or else the transmission mount and exhaust pipe will suffer collateral damage.
