How to Check Engine Mounts

by Alibaster Smith

Engine mounts are responsible for holding your engine in place and preventing it from knocking into other components under the hood of your vehicle. Under normal operation, an engine produces torque, or twisting force. This twisting causes the engine to try to "rotate." If nothing is holding the engine in place, it will shake. Fortunately, checking the engine mounts can be done in your driveway or garage.

Step 1

Pull the hood release lever. Open the hood and locate the engine mounts. Engine mounts are usually located on the sides, front and back of the engine. Some engines have two mounts, while others have three. The third is normally near the firewall. They can be all different shapes and sizes depending on the make and model of your vehicle, but all of them have very large bolts that attach a bracket from the engine itself to the mount, which is typically welded to the frame of the vehicle.

Step 2

Have an assistant turn on the vehicle and rev the engine. Pay attention to the driver's side engine mount. This engine mount is being "stretched" or "pulled" when the engine revs. Check for excessive movement. The engine will move, but the mount should not visibly move. If the mount is moving, it means that the bushing inside the mount has failed.

Step 3

Rev the engine again and check the passenger-side mount. This mount tends to be compressed when when revving the engine. Again, the mount should not move. If it does, then it is likely that the bushing has failed.

Step 4

Check the third mount--if applicable--the same as you did in Step 2.

Step 5

Check the engine in general (all mounts at once) while your assistant revs the engine once more. The engine should not move excessively, but even if it does not, check that it is not hitting the fan or fan shroud located in front of it. In addition, make sure it's not hitting anything else, either. If the engine clears all components, then your engine mounts are fine.

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