How to Repair a Damaged Engine Mounting
The car engine will produce high vibrations when started. However, passengers inside the car cabin do not feel the vibrations much, even at high speeds. Engine mounting is a component that serves to hold and dampen engine vibrations so that they do not enter the cabin.
Engine mounting can be considered a fairly durable and strong car component. This component is quite slow moving and is one of the parts of the car that rarely gets replaced, but that does not mean it is without risk. You need to know the signs that the engine mounting needs maintenance or even replacement.
Signs of Problematic or Damaged Engine Mounting
Cars are made up of many components, and some parts are interconnected. If there is damage to one component, it will definitely affect driving comfort. The same goes for the engine mounting component, which is connected to the car as a whole.
Signs of problematic engine mounting can be felt as soon as the car is started. You may hear a rough and loud noise from the engine area. This happens because the engine mounting cannot withstand the large vibrations from the engine.
For some types of cars with rear-wheel drive, the vibrations caused by damaged engine mounting will be more noticeable. Often, the damage occurs because the rubber inside is torn.
If forced to run the car, the engine will not be stable and tends to sway. This will cause a thudding sound from the engine compartment. The noise will worsen when the car passes over rough and bumpy roads.
If you notice vibrations in the engine area, check the condition of the engine mounting immediately. Open the hood and look at the rubber parts on the sides of the engine. Usually, there are three or four points on the side of the engine equipped with rubber.
Examine the rubber closely and see if there are any cracks or breaks in that area. Damage to the rubber can occur due to several factors. It could be due to the age of the component being older or frequently experiencing strong vibrations in the car.
Effects of Ignoring Engine Mounting Damage
After finding signs of damage to the engine mounting, perform maintenance or replacement immediately. As mentioned earlier, damage to the engine mounting will reduce driving comfort. Do not delay this serious issue as it will impact other important car components.
The car engine is directly connected to the fuel hose and radiator. Unabsorbed engine vibrations will cause those connections to rub or collide with other parts. If left too long, the connections of the hoses will become loose and may even leak.
Fuel leaks are certainly very dangerous for the vehicle. Disconnected fuel flow may cause the engine to fail to start. Even more dangerously, this leak could lead to an explosion from the ignition within the engine.
Duration for Replacing Engine Mounting
Replacement of engine mounting is usually done after the car has traveled 50,000 – 60,000 kilometers. However, it cannot be denied that city roads reduce the lifespan of car components. This is due to cars used on urban roads encountering traffic jams more frequently.
Road conditions can also greatly affect the condition of this car component. Not only that, long journeys on poorly maintained roads can also accelerate the deterioration of the component.
Therefore, regular checks are necessary for every car component, including engine mounting. Replace it if any damage is found. Remember to perform component replacements at authorized workshops to ensure the authenticity of the spare parts.
Author: Rizkita Darajat
