Can someone explain what an Engine Mount is?

[Yzzim]

So my new (to me) 2006 Grand Prix has been making a slight clunking noise when I accelerate. The noise sounds like it comes from the passenger side wheel. Doesn't matter if it's forward/reverse or turning/ going straight.

Took it to the dealer and they looked at it today and said it was an engine mount. They would have the part in tomorrow morning around 10am and have it done by the afternoon. Seems rather quick...? I have no idea what an engine mount is/does but it sounds important and like a lot of work.

BTW, the place was swamped and I didn't want to look like a dork asking what seems like an obvious question. So I'll just look like a dork here

BTW, it is all warranty work through a GM dealership.

 

[NutBucket]

Literally is a piece of rubber that is bolted between the engine and the chassis to help isolate engine vibrations from the car. If the rubber is shot (which I assume is the case in your car), the engine will be able to move more, transfer more vibrations and subsequently the metal parts of the mount will bang and clank.

Definitely important for the mounts to be in good working order. It is a bit worrying though that your '06 already needs a new mount.

 

[amdskip]

It's what holds your engine in your car. They are mounted in various different places on cars and it's pretty common that they break. I had a friend who would drive fast enough and hit a bump that his engine would clunk the hood, definitely a beater car.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Definitely important for the mounts to be in good working order. It is a bit worrying though that your '06 already needs a new mount.

I agree. I would ask them to see it when they are done replacing it. I would think it's practically impossible for rubber to deteriorate like that.

EDIT: Though I guess a bolt could have worked it's way loose or broken.

 

[programmer]

Engine mounts can tear, and there have been recalls in the past for defective mounts from various manufacturers. Even my old 69 Camaro had been recalled for it! The GM solution was to add a length of chain around one of the mounts to prevent the engine from twisting and breaking the throttle linkage. So yeah, it can happen, and ask to see the old one.


1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Recall Date: 12/29/1971

Summary:
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A SEPARATED MOTOR MOUNT MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO LIFT, WHICH MAY AFFECT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE, MOMENTARILY INCREASING THROTTLE, POSSIBLY TO FULL THROTTLE.

Consequence:
UNEXPECTED LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL MAY CAUSE LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy:
INSPECT ENGINE MOUNTS AND INSTALL RESTRAINTS WHICH WILL LIMIT ENGINE LIFT AND ELIMINATE POSSIBLE SECONDARY EFFECTS TO THE THROTTLE LINKAGE DUE TO ENGINE MOUNT SEPARATION.

Potential Units Affected: 6682084

Notes: CHEVROLET CAMARO

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Pictures:
http://martybugs.net/Pintara/mount.cgi

 

[Yzzim]

Thanks for the info. I'm picking the car up tomorrow so I'll ask the service guy if he's seen it often.

 

[zerocool84]

Ask the Mazdaspeed3 people, they know what an engine mount is

 

[imported_Truenofan]

could be a half shaft, can cause the same clunking noise, and can cause bad vibration(had a bad u-join in my 7 where it hooks up to the output shaft on the tranny, caused the whole car to shake like mad at around 30mph, when i lifted off the accel it would go away and then come back upon acceleration.)

edit: sorry, completely missed the point of my post as well, yeah the engine mounts are rubber bushings that dampen the vibration of a engine due to the rotating of the crankshaft and the up down motion of the piston/conrod. if you didnt have them or had solid mounts, the whole car would have a steady vibration up to a rpm, it would smoothen out, then vibrate badly again, kinda like race cars. they usually have solid engine mounts and it does this(watch formula one with the inboard cam.)

 

[boomerang]

From the quick diagnosis by the dealer I'd say this is a common problem. A bad batch of mounts from a vendor would be my guess.

 

[AsianriceX]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Ask the Mazdaspeed3 people, they know what an engine mount is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rberk07Lozs