Engine Mounting Age and Time to Replace It
Every vehicle component certainly has a lifespan or usage period, including the engine mounting. Although it is considered a slow moving component with a long lifespan, the engine mounting can also experience damage and needs to be replaced.
For your information, the engine mounting is a component that functions to absorb engine vibrations when it is started. Without this component, the large engine vibrations will disturb other components and even enter the cabin, affecting driving comfort.
Engine mounting is usually made of steel plates and thick rubber on top. This component is connected to the engine using bolts. The number of engine mountings in each car varies, typically ranging from two to five, with varying placement points as well.
What is the Lifespan of Engine Mounting?
Actually, there is no exact number for how long an engine mounting should be replaced with a new one. Vehicle technicians recommend considering replacement after the car has traveled 50,000 – 60,000 kilometers.
This number can be less depending on the car's usage. For instance, a car used daily in urban areas. The congested roads in urban areas will cause some components to have a shorter lifespan.
Another factor that can influence this is the distance traveled during each use and the speed used. As is known, the engine mounting absorbs vibrations caused by the engine. Therefore, the higher the vibrations produced due to high speeds, the shorter the lifespan of this component.
Many vehicle owners also pay less attention to this component. This is because the size of the engine mounting is quite small and its location is somewhat hidden. Therefore, friends need to start paying attention to the small things in their personal cars!
Detecting Engine Mounting Damage
Damaged engine mountings can be detected very easily. You can immediately feel several changes in the car from inside the cabin. Here are the signs of damage to the engine mounting!
1. Noises when the engine is started
Damage to the engine component can be detected from the first time it is started. If the engine mounting is damaged, this component will not be able to absorb engine vibrations. The engine will produce a thumping sound. This is usually marked by cracked or torn rubber on the engine mounting.
2. Shifting gears and releasing the clutch
The engine noise will become louder and deeper when shifting gears and releasing the clutch. This is because the engine vibrates harder to drive the car. Since the grip of the engine mounting is no longer strong, the engine will sway.
3. Rough engine sound while driving
The thumping sound will become more pronounced when the car is moving. This sound will become rougher if the engine mounting damage has worsened. The noise and vibrations will be more noticeable when the car reaches high speeds or passes over uneven roads.
The signs that arise can be very different for each car variant. For rear-wheel-drive cars, damage to the engine mounting will cause the engine to vibrate very hard when the engine is started.
Replacing Engine Mounting
You don't need to worry if you have to replace the engine mounting. The price of this car component is still considered affordable. A set of engine mountings costs around Rp300 – 600 thousand. Price differences can occur based on the number of engine mountings in the car that needs to be replaced.
Even though this component comes in more than one, friends are advised to replace the engine mounting according to the number present in the car. Well, hopefully, the information provided can be useful in keeping the car in its best performance!
Author: Rizkita Darajat
