When a vehicle's engine mount goes bad, it begins to sag and shift. This eventually puts pressure on the components adjacent to the engine, such as the drive shaft or cooling fan. An improperly aligned engine can cause significant damage to these components. Detecting and replacing a bad motor mount early prevents more costly repair bills later.
Start the engine, and put the car into park. If it is a manual transmission, engage the parking brake.
Ask a friend or family member to put the transmission into gear and press down on the gas pedal lightly.
Stand on either side of the car and inspect the engine. A normal engine will move slightly while running, but if it moves excessively or over 1/2 inch in either direction, the motor mount needs replacement.
Listen to the noise emitted by the engine mount while the car is running. A properly functioning mount will be relatively quiet. If the engine makes a rattling noise, it is probably the engine mount.
Examine any hoses or belts adjacent to the motor mount. Cracks or tears in these vital parts could be caused by an improperly functioning engine mount that is moving from side to side enough to cause damage.
Inspect the surface of the motor mount for cracks and for missing or loose bolts or brackets. Use a pry bar to move the engine mount slightly to check for cracks or missing bolts on the sides of the mount.
