Motor Mount Replacement Cost
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Somehow, motor mounts are among the most expensive things to replace in a car. Well, wait until you read the actual cost; it probably may not seem pricey to you.
A motor mount is too important to be ignored; it is the “connector” that holds the engine and transmission in place. If anything should happen to this mount, it must be replaced as soon as possible.
Motor mount replacement cost is between $400 and $800, depending on the type of vehicle and who is doing the job.
Replacing the motor mount is a mechanical task that requires a high level of expertise because whatever you do will affect the engine and transmission systems. A motor mount can also be referred to as an engine mount.
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What Exactly Do Motor Mounts Do?
When mechanics mention motor or engine mounts, they refer to the same thing. A motor mount is a solid rubber or liquid-filled component that holds the engine and transmission systems so that they don’t dangle while you’re driving.
There is more than one mount in every vehicle, and each of them typically performs the same task.
The reason why you hear some movement noises when you drive through potholes or road bumps is due to broken or loose motor mounts. A well-situated motor mount absorbs those movements, and you won’t hear any absurd noises when you drive.
More so, when the mount is bad, the engine and transmission components will keep swaying and moving freely in the engine may, which could cause them to hit/collide with other critical components and cause a crack or serious damage.
When you start noticing that your car’s motor mounts are bad, you should have them replaced as soon as possible.
Motor Mount Replacement Cost
Okay, let’s put it this way - the longer you wait to replace the mount after you start noticing the signs explained above, the more it will cost you.
Yes, if you went to replace it immediately you noticed it was bad, you may be spending between $200 and $400, but if you waited longer, chances are that some components would need to be replaced alongside, which will add to the final replacement cost you’ll pay.
So, it is estimated that motor mount replacement costs from $200 to $800, depending on the extent of damage, the type of motor mount, the price per hour for installation, and your location.
Motor mount replacement is a service you can do yourself if you have all the right gear in your garage - you’d spend around two to three hours getting this done.
If you’re going to change more than one mount, apparently, the price would be much higher than what is quoted above - you may be spending double that.
Also, if you’re not conversant with DIY practices, or do not have all the tools needed for engine mount installation, ensure to have it done by a professional mechanic.
How To Detect a Bad Motor Mount
There are quite different signs that indicate you should check on your car’s engine mounts. These signs are not particular to any vehicle type or model, so if you notice any of them, one of the first places to check is the engine mount. The commonest signs include:
- Bouncy Engine: The engine seems to jump and down when you climb road bumps or drive in a particular manner.
- Moving Noise: When you turn sharply, turn in another direction, and you hear a noise that seems like some stuff in the engine bay slid to the side you turned to; that’s a sign that the motor mount isn’t in good condition.
- Stronger Vibrations: If you started feeling unusually stronger vibrations when driving, that could be due to a bad engine mount that is about to damage completely. The vibrations are a result of the engine components not being held in place, so they swing around as you drive.
- Damaged Engine Block: A damaged motor mount can affect the engine block badly; loose components may keep hitting on the block, thus, causing it to crack. A cracked engine block is a dire situation that could cost you several thousands of dollars to fix.
- Fluid Leaks: Modern motor mounts, usually liquid-filled ones, when they fail, drop fluids - so you will see the fluids dripping from under the engine bay, around the mount region.
