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[Abiton]

Probably a silly question, but how do I check whether engine mounts are in need of replacement?  Looking from below they seem a bit perished/cracked.  Can take a pic or two if it would help.

1996 2.0 16V MT 153K on the clock.  Recently been experiencing a rather unpleasant knocking if one puts one's foot down in too high a gear.  Feels like it's down on low-end torque, but it may just be that the noise makes one want to drop a cog quick-smart.

Engine sounds smooth at idle, and no obvious loss of power.

Could it be that the engine's rocking excessively and causing something to bang into something (technical, me, )?

Any other explanations I should consider?

How do you judge their condition?  How much should the engine rock side to side?  

Are they fairly easy to change?

Thanks for any answers to these many questions.  

Pete

[JamesV6CDX]

Where is the knock? Could it be play in the drivetrain?

[Abiton]

I'm afraid my inexperience would lead me to say only "under the car somewhere".  I guess that could be some play in the drivetrain. Dunno  :-/.  Is that a likely prob?

Just taken a pic of an engine mount (or two), I'll post it in a minute.





Sorry about the quality and strange angles.

[achoo81]

I would change them just to be safe, they don't look very healthy to me.

[Lazydocker]

I would change them just to be safe, they don't look very healthy to me.

I've seen worse!!!! Wouldn't have thought that's the problem but I may be wrong!!

[Abiton]

Thanks for your replies.  I think I'll grab a couple of new mounts while I'm at Vx getting a new expansion tank (cracking round the base of the threaded bit the cap goes on  )

Don't suppose they're going to be 'refreshingly cheap'  

If things don't improve after fitting them, I'll be looking for volunteers among any localish oof experts, for me to bring the car to for a 'diagnostic drive'.  

Thanks all.

P.S. Something I probably should have mentioned earlier... It's the g/f's car, and she's not ultra-strict about being in the correct gear... Could trying to pull away/speed up in an inappropriate gear have caused some (drivetrain?) damage that is now making itself heard?

[achoo81]

Re your P.S driving like that could do damage to gearbox mounting ,centre prop shaft bearing, engine mounts and exhaust mountings.

[Abiton]

Thanks for that info achoo81.

Phoned my local Vx parts man this morning, they want £86 each for the engine mounts!  Suddenly they look much less in need of replacement...

Automatic transmission for her next car methinks.

[JasonH]

Some engine mounts here for less:

http://www.vauxhall-car-parts.co.uk/acatalog/Omega-Engine-Clutch.html

Should be able to get some for about £35 a side.

The light cracking looks fairly normal to me. One looks like the rubber is pulling away which might be a problem.

Not too bad to change really - just support the engine, ideally with a crane. Alternatively and a bit more dodgy do one side at a time and support the engine with a large solid block of wood and a jack under the sump (which is how I changed mine). When I got mine off they were a bit saggy but essentially OK.

[Abiton]

Just to give some closure to this thread.
After an advisory on the last MOT that both were in "poor condition", I thought I'd best get 'em done.

"Engine mounts fubarred?"

Well this one surely was... 




Finally got around to getting some replacements and fitted them this morning.  Vx wanted £72 each, but armed with their part number, I found some secondhand ones on Ebay for a whole lot less.  Turned out that the part number Vx suggested (24 417 107) wasn't the same as what came off (90 289 667, I think); couldn't see any difference though.

The other one wasn't too bad, guess it was the side that mainly gets pushed rather than pulled...

Funnily enough, the engine doesn't seem to jump around quite as much as it used to. 

[KillerWatt]

Phoned my local Vx parts man this morning, they want £86 each for the engine mounts!  Suddenly they look much less in need of replacement...

I know that story.
Try Camberley Auto Factors, and if they ain't cheap enough then PM me....I get genuine Vx at cost + 10% (that beats the crap outta the somewhat elitist trade club).

[Andy B]

.......
the somewhat elitist trade club).

It can't be that 'elitist' ......



I'm in it!