Page 1 of 1

How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2020 5:29 pm
by bhiggins2
On pre-1990s 4 cylinder Alfa Romeos, if you can't get a finger between the front sway bar and the crank pulley - then your engine mounts are shot and need replacing. Is there any reference point that can be measured to indicate it is time to change the engine mounts on a 1967 Dino coupe? I'm going to assume that as engine mounts compress, the exhaust headers get closer to the ground. Also, on my car [radiator and front grill is removed] there is no way to get a straight shot at the crank pulley nut with an impact wrench as the front cross member is in the way. I want to replace the front crank oil seal. Is there a relationship between the center of the crank pulley and the front cross member that might be an indication of worn mounts? If the rubber engine mounts need replacing, is there a trick to doing it without removing exhaust headers? Thanks, Ben.

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2020 8:50 pm
by Dario
Hi, you can jack up one side of the engine and remove the engine mount without undoing the headers. Depending on your exhaust, you many need to loosen the 3 in 1 to get some wiggle room. Then you can check what shape it's in and replace if necessary. Not sure that the replacements available are really that good. With the engine mount out, it's actually pretty easy to remove the headers and access the starter motor.
Good luck,
Dario

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 9:04 pm
by 4cambob
Where are you buying the replacement mounts from, and are they the original type or the round type.

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 9:22 pm
by bhiggins2
How do you determine "what shape the engine mounts are in"? Obviously if the rubber has separated from the metal, it is time to replace, but In my experience, engine mount usually compress over time, lowering the engine in the chassis. Do you measure the height of the rubber part of the mount or use some other reference point for example when the crank pulley is "X" mm below the front cross member, or the headers have "Y" amount of clearance below the central cross member?

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2020 9:53 am
by ThomasK
Hi, I would not try to make a science out of it:
- if rubber and metal start to split
- if the rubber has cracks
- if the rubber is at the sides not flat
=> you should replace them.

Especially as they cost less than 100 Euro/pair.

KR Thomas

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 2:12 pm
by bhiggins2
Replaced engine mounts. Height of new mounts is significantly higher than old worn out mounts [side by side photo]. While replacing mounts I noticed a small crack in the metal part of engine mount on passenger side, so I removed them for inspection. I found several cracks [see photos] in both mounts. Is this common? MIG welded up cracks and powder coated them. Ben.

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 6:22 pm
by bhiggins2
Forgot to attach photo of rubber mount portion of new vs old engine mount.
Ben.

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 2:10 am
by abarth4
Take a look at a string I participated in called "Fiat Dino 2400 Coupe - Drivetrain vibration" viewtopic.php?f=4&t=25
Motor mount brackets are prone to cracking. I had some fabrication work done on mine (photos in the discussion string). Seems to be more prevalent in the 2.4 cars, but certainly could occur on the 2.0's.