Professional car mechanics have to deal with broken engine mounts frequently, mostly requesting to get them replaced. But the question is, how common is it for engine mounts to break?
It is not common for engine mounts to break except if it is old or abused. An engine mount is expected to last between 6 to 20 years. If the engine mount is old, with time, it will break, and if you drive recklessly or you were involved in an accident, the friction can cause the engine mount to break.Â
The engine mount is part of the car’s engine that connects it to the body which is responsible for absorbing some of the vibrations and impacts the engine makes when the car is driven. It keeps the engine in one place irrespective of how bad the road is or the car turns.
Is It Normal for Motor Mounts to Break?
Although the motor mount’s life span usually depends on how it is treated or handled by the car user, It is still normal for motor mounts to break.
This is because most engine mounts are made of rubber, which is a material that can be broken easily, especially when subjected to great vibrations and impact from the engine.
However, it is not always the case that the motor mounts will break. For example, if you are using a car with an automatic transmission, your motor mount will not break as often as in a car with manual transmission.
This is because cars that provide an automatic mode of transmission often have engines with less vibration frequency, whereas cars that utilize a manual mode of transmission (usually power cars), tend to have a lot of powerful and frequent vibrations emanating from their engine.
How Common is it For Engine Mounts to Break?
Engine mounts don’t break very commonly except if it is old or has been subjected to extreme conditions such as heat, vibration, and dirt.
Despite the strength of engine mounts, it is not uncommon for engine mounts to break down, this is because of how long they have been in use and how the user has been using them.
Well, seeing that they’re designed to reduce and withstand the vibrations that come from your engine, they are relatively strong, so they don’t break that easily.
What Would Cause a Motor Mount to Break?
What can cause an engine mount to break?
1. Wear and Tear
Wear and tear can be the reason why your engine mount can randomly break because of too much friction as a result of the bad roads.
However, if you continue to use the bad road, it will cause wear and tear to the engine mount which will in time cause it to break.
2. Abusing the Engine Mount
Driving recklessly can cause your engine mounts to break whether new or not. Abusing the engine mount is not fair.
Driving recklessly and racing badly the way you are not supposed to do will do more harm than good to the engine mount.
3. Engine Drop
Regular car servicing is highly recommended to car owners. Therefore, during the servicing, a lot of things can go wrong.
If the car engine happens to drop, either during the process of lifting, it out or into the car’s hood, it might cause great damage to the engine mount.
4. Breakage or Corrosion
Engine mounts can break and corrode due to the following reasons:
- The engine mount is not designed for the vehicle
- The engine mount is not fitted properly
Therefore, if the engine mount is not made from a durable material such as polyurethane or metal, which can withstand the vibration of the engine and other forces. it can result in a number of issues.
If the engine mounts break or corrode, the engine will be at risk of slippage and since it could fall from the car, there is a danger of injury to anyone around.
Drivers are duly advised to inspect their vehicle engine mounts at least monthly, to arrest any cracks before they escalate to breakages.
It is important to know that if one side of the mount breaks off completely, it can lead to an imbalance of weight on the vehicle, therefore having more weight on either side.
5. Old Age
If the engine mount has been in use for a long time, it can easily break. If you just recently purchase a used engine mount and it breaks again, then know that the one you purchased has been used for a very long time. So, old age can easily cause engine mounts to break.
How Long Do Engine Mounts Last?
There are three types of engine mounts: rubber, polyurethane, and metal. Rubber mounts last about six years on average; polyurethane lasts about 10 years on average, and metal mounts can last up to 20 years or more.
As reiterated earlier, since engine mounts are the components that connect your engine to the vehicle’s body, they are meant to last for a very long time. They don’t break easily except unforeseen circumstances occur.
Is It Expensive to Fix Engine Mounts?
No, engine mounts are relatively cheap to fix, but it is recommended to replace them instead, before considering replacing them, there are a few things you should look out for.
- Material: Engine mounts are available in various materials, from metal to rubber. The type of material used is determined by the application, weight requirements, and durability needed.
- Mounting Type: Engine mounts can be either bolted or welded onto the frame or subframe of a vehicle.
- Mounting Location: Some engines have their mounting points on the front or rear of the engine while others will have them on both sides.
- Mounting Height: this is determined by whether you want your engine to be closer to the ground or higher up in your car’
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Motor Mounts?
The average cost of replacing a new engine mount is $1,000. The type of car will determine variation in cost, as some cars are more expensive than others. Remember that you will still need to buy the replacement parts and pay for the workmanship.
Is It Worth Replacing the Engine Mounts??
Yes, it is worth replacing the engine mount if the vehicle is experiencing vibration or shaking while driving. In this situation, it’s worth replacing the engine mounts instead of fixing them.
However, if the issue with the engine mounts is something that can be easily fixed, you can go ahead with the fixing. But, it’s better to replace it with another good one than fixing. Trust me, you don’t want your engine to fall off from its position while you drive.
I’ve had an engine mount issue before and it damaged my radiator because the engine keeps shaking anything I accelerate. I had to change both the engine mount and my radiator.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your vehicle’s engine mounts is an important part of car maintenance. Engine mounts help to keep the motor in place while it is running. Without them, the engine would move around too much and could cause damage to other parts of the engine or the car itself.
If you notice any signs of a problem with your engine mounts, such as vibration or noise, you must have it checked by a mechanic as soon as possible. They will be able to tell if there are any problems with your mount and offer advice on how to fix them.