How To Know If You Have A Bad Engine Mount
When you shift your vehicle into drive, you might experience a sudden thud, jerking, or vibration. When this occurs, your vehicle might have a bad motor mount. If this is the case, you may need to have your vehicle serviced.
Sudden Jerking When Shifting Your Vehicle
Your vehicle should not jerk suddenly when you shift it into drive or reverse. In some cases, your vehicle might even move a little as you are doing this. Your vehicle might also suffer from excessive vibrations because the dampening parts of the engine are breaking down.
Loud Sounds
The engine has anti-vibration features meant to protect the engine. However, these anti-vibration features can wear out over time and can cause your engine to become damaged. Therefore, you will want to have the problem addressed as soon as possible.
You might hear impact noises that come from the engine bay. The mount is worn out and can cause the engine to start clunking. This results from the engine continually shifting at the point of contact. When an engine mount is functioning properly, it should keep your engine in place.
However, when it is not functioning properly, the engine can move forward or backward and side to side within the engine bay. When you are accelerating, the engine is likely to move the most. This can place strain on the components and cause them to become damaged.
A Bouncier Ride
You might have a much bouncier ride, especially when traveling at a higher speed. If your ride isn't very smooth, you might need an engine mount replacement. When you pop open the hood, you might notice that the engine looks visibly damaged. There might be:
- Cracks
- Dents
- Discoloration
- Corrosion
- Components that appear to be worn out
If you notice any of these symptoms of engine damage, you should have the engine serviced as soon as possible or your engine might fail while you are on the road.
If you are having problems with your engine mount, it is much cheaper to take your car to a service center that specializes in your type of vehicle than it is to replace a damaged engine. You will be able to schedule an affordable mechanical inspection where you will be able to determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are truly the result of a bad motor mount. They may discover cracks and dry rot on the mount, a telltale sign of a bad mount, and may then repair your vehicle.
For more information, contact a local auto service, such as a service Mercedes shop.