What are the symptoms of damaged engine mounts?
2 Answers
The symptoms of damaged engine mounts are: 1. The engine vibrates noticeably when reversing; 2. The vehicle vibrates noticeably when starting; 3. The engine vibrates significantly when cold, with noticeable improvement after warming up; 4. The steering wheel vibrates at idle, and the brake pedal vibrates noticeably. When the engine is running, it generates certain vibrations. Engine mounts contain rubber components to eliminate resonance produced during engine operation. Some mounts also feature hydraulic pressure reduction functions, all serving the same primary purpose. When engine mounts are damaged, the vibrations from the engine can cause the entire vehicle body to vibrate.
I've been driving for over a decade, and the symptoms of worn engine mounts are quite noticeable. The most obvious sign is when the car idles, especially in neutral gear – the entire body shakes violently, with the steering wheel and seats vibrating like an uncomfortable massage chair. When accelerating, you'll feel the engine wobble slightly, making the car feel unstable, as if it might fall apart any moment. Once, I forgot to check and heard knocking or creaking sounds from the engine bay while accelerating, which was quite alarming. If left unchecked, prolonged driving can lead to increased wear, potentially causing engine misalignment or damage to other components like the transmission, which would be costly to repair. For safety, I recommend visiting a repair shop as soon as you notice anything unusual to check if the engine mounts are worn and replace them if necessary. This issue is quite common, especially in older cars, so regular inspections can save a lot of trouble.
