Engine mount replacement cost nz

What do engine mounts do?

Engines have many moving parts and can weigh hundreds of kilograms. The moving parts create a lot of vibrations. Engine mounts hold the engine in one place, preventing it from vibrating and moving while you are driving.

Engine mounts are made out of a rubber-like material. This helps reduce vibrations by limiting the amount of metal-to-metal contact that takes place under your bonnet. Some engine mounts are vacuum controlled, meaning that the level of vibration reduction can change according to the conditions. Other engine mounts are filled with liquid to further reduce shaking.

In most cases, a car’s engine and transmission are bolted together and held in place by up to four engine mounts. One side of each mount is bolted to the frame of your vehicle with the other side being bolted to the engine itself.

Causes of engine mount damage

In most cases, the engine mounts will be capable of lasting the life of a vehicle. However, the engine mounts are constantly under heating and cooling and torque stresses, which can cause them to crack or split over time. When an engine mount becomes damaged, it will not function as well and the driver will notice the effects. A damaged, split, cracked, leaking or collapsed engine mount can also fail a Warrant of Fitness (WoF).

Symptoms of damaged engine mounts

There are several common symptoms of damaged engine mounts. These include:

• An increase in engine noise.
• An increase in vibration felt inside the vehicle, particularly while idling.
• A noticeable “jolt” when shifting into drive or reverse.
• A jolt or thud noise when changing gears.

Visible signs of a damaged engine mount include:

• Leaking fluid around the engine mount.
• Cracks or tears in the engine mount rubber.
• The engine on an unusual angle

Failed a WOF?

Damaged engine mounts can cause your vehicle to fail its Warrant of Fitness. If you have failed your WOF due to damaged engine mounts, you will need to have them repaired or replaced before your car can be driven legally.

Engine mount replacement & repair in Hamilton

When replacing an engine mount, the engine will often need to be supported from underneath the vehicle. This can make things difficult. Fortunately, we can make the process easy for you!

At Grimmer Motors, our team of experienced, qualified and trusted mechanics can quickly determine whether the engine mounts are the source of your problem. We can then remove and replace the mounts using reliable parts you can count on.

For honest, reliable mechanics in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!

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(Updated on April 17, 2020)

The chassis of a vehicle is the base frame which all the other vital components are connected to, such as the engine. There is something called an engine mount which allows the engine to stay firmly attached to the chassis. This prevents the engine from shaking or moving as you’re driving. For example, when you drive over potholes or bumps in the road, the engine mount absorbs this so that it doesn’t affect the engine’s position. Engine mounts are all made differently in order to accommodate different make and model vehicles. You will usually find engine mounts containing metal and rubber materials.

Top 5 Symptoms of a Bad Engine Mount

Engine mounts are small parts which might not look like much on the outside. But, they are very important because they’re responsible for keeping the engine stabilized and aligned with the frame of the vehicle. If you were to have a bad engine mount because of excessive driving and wear and tear, then certain symptoms will develop. These symptoms need to be addressed soon or else they will get worse.

Below are the top 5 symptoms of a bad engine mount.

1) Bouncy Engine – The worst thing that can happen is for your engine mount to snap and break off completely. This would mean that your engine would have no stability or alignment whatsoever. Instead, it will just bounce left and right as you put your foot on the gas pedal and move the vehicle faster. Then, if you were to go over a bump in the road, it could even bounce up and down. All this bouncing is surely going to cause major damage to your engine. Then you will need to replace your engine with a new one.

2) Engine Vibrations – Since the engine mount stabilizes the engine, it only makes sense that a bad engine mount will cause instability with the engine. This means the engine is going to vibrate because it is not held firmly to the frame of the vehicle. The passenger side of the cabin should feel the vibrations even more. Sometimes the driver won’t even notice these symptoms until they have another person sitting in the passenger’s seat.

3) Strange Sounds – When you have an engine that is shaking, vibrating, and moving around in the frame, then it is going to cause knocking and clanking noises to be made. Although these sounds could be caused by other things too, you should definitely have a mechanic check your engine mount if you are experiencing any of the other symptoms listed here too.

4) Engine Misaligned – When the engine is misaligned, it will tilt toward one side more than the other side. If you suspect your engine mount is bad because the other symptoms listed here are present, then inspect your engine mount and see if it is tilted. This will indicate whether the mount truly is bad or not.

5) Broken Belts and Hoses – When you have an engine that is not stable because of a bad engine mount, the most fragile components in the engine are going to break easily. This means the belts and hoses are likely going to get damaged, especially as you accelerate faster in your vehicle.

Read also: 5 Symptoms of Low Transmission Fluids: Automatic and Manual

Replacement Cost

The average replacement cost for an engine mount is anywhere from $220 to $570. The cost of the parts and labor can vary, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. The parts cost will likely be between $40 and $150, while the labor costs will be between $90 and $400. It all depends on how difficult it is for the mechanic to access your engine mount.

Last Updated on June 18, 2021

A vehicle’s engine produces a lot of vibration when running. Without a specific component, the vibration would transmit to the entire car and make it very uncomfortable to the passengers inside the car.

This very important component is called the motor mount (or engine mount). Below, we’ll go over how an engine mount works, what symptoms you should look for if you suspect you have a bad engine mount, and what the average engine mount replacement cost is.

How a Motor Mount Works

Motor mounts are small parts that attach the engine to your vehicle. Typically, up to four mounts are used to attach the motor to the frame of the car or the cradle of the engine. Your transmission uses mounts as well.

Most engine mounts have rubber in them to reduce the contact points of the metal of the engine with the body of the car. This helps reduce the vibrations of the engine and damage that follow from this.

Additional vibration dampening can be done by filling the mount with a liquid instead, which is a feature found on top of  the line  mount products and car models.

Vibrations in the engine block are the most common cause of damage to the most delicate parts of the engine. Excessive vibrations can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. The purpose of an engine mount is to prevent these vibrations from transferring where they shouldn’t.

The engine block is secured firmly to the frame or sub-frame of the car body. Vibrations are dampened and don’t impact the other parts of the engine nearly as much. The connection between the engine and car body is maintained.

An additional function of the motor mount is that it prevents vibrations from reaching the rest of the car as well. All in all, beyond keeping your engine connected to the frame, mounts are the first line of defense against damage-causing vibrations in your vehicle.

See Also:  Reasons Your Car Shakes When Accelerating

Bad Engine Mount Symptoms and Effects

#1 – Sounds of Repeated Impacts in the Engine Bay

When engine mounts wear out, one of the most common symptoms of this is noise in the engine bay. This can be in the form of clanking, banging, and any other sound that makes you think of an impact.

These sounds occur because the engine isn’t secure anymore. It shifts from side to side, bumping into the walls of the cradle.

#2 – Stronger Vibrations Than Normal

This is a common sign of a dying engine mount. Any excess vibrations in your car are caused by a failing mount.

When the rubber or dampening fluid of the mount wears out, or when the mount itself ceases to be secure, its ability to prevent vibrations is impacted severely. You will begin to feel the entire car shake and vibrate.

Related:  Common Causes for Steering Wheel Shakes

#3 – Engine is Moving Around

If your engine tends to move about in the bay, you have at least one bad mount. Keeping the engine secure is the primary function of the mount.

Worn mounts allow the engine to move in all directions. You can hear this movement when you accelerate and the engine vibrates more intensely.

You will typically hear impact sounds to accompany the unsecured engine. This can lead to a lack of safety in the cabin of the car. It can also lead to other delicate parts of the car being damaged such as when the radiator fan hits into the surrounding shroud.

#4 – Engine Slightly Tilted

When the engine of the car is secured using mounts, it is also aligned correctly. This means that the engine is on one level, without having a varying height throughout its cross section. A failing set of mounts causes the engine to droop to one side, or even to tilt.

This can be detected by listening for the sound of excess vibration in the engine bay. Check the engine out regularly and look for tilting.

Slight tilting doesn’t affect the capability of the engine, but the engine can actually flood and fail if it tilts too far to one side, leading to a breakdown. Always check and replace your mounts as needed.

#5 – Damage to Your Engine Block

This is one of the most extreme situations that can occur as a consequence of having a bad engine mount. If the mount breaks and fails catastrophically because of negligence in replacing it when needed, your entire engine is likely to start bouncing around.

At high speeds, this can result in the engine losing some of the most delicate parts due to it hitting surrounding areas. This can lead to a serious accident, resulting in major damage or even loss of life.

Motor Mount Replacement Cost

The longer you wait to replace your engine mounts after the symptoms start, the more it can cost you. Prevention of a failed engine mount scenario is the cheapest and most effective method.

However, the cost of replacing a cracked or broken mount can range anywhere from about $250 to $600 based on your car’s size and requirements. For the price of parts, actual motor mounts themselves cost around $50 to $150.

The labor to install these mounts and correctly realign your engine costs more than the parts themselves. Expect to spend anywhere from $200 to $450 in labor to replace a motor mount depending on how difficult it is to get to.

Keep in mind that you will often need to replace more than one engine mount so the actual cost may be more than specified above.

It’s a good idea not to skimp on quality when it comes to engine mounts. Either stick with OEM or an aftermarket brand with a good reputation.

somersetting, Nov 13, 1:54am

Before I go ringing around some mechanics, can anyone give me an idea of the cost involved! I have been quoted $1000 a year ago, but thought that sounded very high. We recently got 4 new wheels and I can totally notice the car 'shaking, rattling' more than before with the old worn tires, hence a year ago when we were first told about the problem.
It's a Nissan Primera SW CVT.yeah I know CVT more trouble than they are worth.!

jmma, Nov 13, 2:02am

Need a bit more info, when and under what conditions is it shaking etc.
4 new wheels! What sort of wheels!

somersetting, Nov 13, 2:05am

Shaking/rattling when it's in 'park' or when driving under 30-40kms i.e. driving slow with no acceleration. Hmmm.wheels are ! not the cheapest but not the most expensive from TTS. That wasn't very helpful aye.lol
Do you think it sounds like something else!

jmma, Nov 13, 2:15am

Sounds like it might be a tuning problem. IE engine misfiring. When was it serviced last and where did you get the idea about engine mounts!

somersetting, Nov 13, 2:23am

Yes, it is WELL overdue for a service. Last time we did, nearly 1 1/2 years ago (it was just getting too expensive and we couldn't afford 6 monthly services, so we've just been getting WOF's), our mechanic said "next service the engine mounts will need to be fixed, and it'll be about $1000. Also another reason we didn't take it back.

jmma, Nov 13, 2:26am

Someone else on here may comment on the engine mounts,
To me it sounds like it might need the idle air control valve cleaning (Google it)
Does the car stall when it's cold!

skyblue17, Nov 13, 2:28am

You can't afford to service it regularly or maintain it properly, but you can justify buying new wheels for it.!

jmma, Nov 13, 2:32am

I suggest, OP means 4 new tyres (o:

skyblue17, Nov 13, 2:34am

Yeah I wondered. Thought maybe the new tyres came with the new wheels

jmma, Nov 13, 2:39am

A quick look around on google, suggest there may be problems with primera engine mounts. Suggest you put on here what year it is and someone like morrisman may come along and shed some light on it for you.

crzyaspeeps, Nov 13, 2:58am

likely the main mount from front of motor to chassis. they can be expensive to buy new, but they are pretty easy to fit. problem is, once u have been driving round awhile with 1 hammered mount, it does tend to flog the others out before too long. if you know anyone mechanical, hit them up to do it for you instead of getting ripped off by your local garage

mrfxit, Nov 13, 4:51am

Car wreckers .Good eyes

somersetting, Nov 13, 5:11am

Sorry, I was writing in a hurry and meant tyres not wheels. I thought something was wrong when I wrote it.
The tyres were dangerous and not safe to drive on hence why we got all new ones. When ever we took the car for a service our mechanic would always find something to fix. Now I am now expert- far from it as you can tell, but we got sick of spending lots of money on our car. We are planning on getting it serviced before Christmas, so will get the mounts checked out then.
It's a 1997 Nissan Primera SW CVT 2L for specific info.

mechnificent, Nov 13, 5:17am

Ask here or at repco or supercheap how much the parts are.
http://www.mountshop.co.nz/CONTACT2.asp!FromDefault=Y

Then go ask some mechanics how much the parts are and how much to fit them. go with the most honest priced parts.

mechnificent, Nov 13, 5:18am

http://www.mountshop.co.nz/PartialPartSearch.asp!search=Yes

somersetting, Nov 13, 7:09am

Great idea, thank you for the link.

kazbanz, Nov 13, 7:12am

$1000 would be every engine mount in the whole darn car

jenifa, Nov 13, 7:23am

go to www.primeracarclub.co.nz and ask the question on the forums. Someone from the club may be able help you.

Since the public registrations are closed, you must have an invite from a current member to be able to register and post in this thread. Have an account? Login here.

Engine mounts are not only what connect your engine to the car but also what stops the engine rattling the whole car to bits while it’s running. Good engine mounts mean you can sit at the stop lights without noticing that the engine is running. Bad engine mounts can ruin your comfort and ride.

What are engine mounts?

Engine mounts are bolted to the engine from the cross member or chassis rails. They often include a dampening material to reduce vibrations through the car. Sometimes this is rubbery liquid, softer rubber mount, and other times a harder polyurethane bushing.

Engine mounts are required to keep the motor and its attachments from being damaged due to excessive vibrations.

Why do you need engine mounts?

If your engine mounts are faulty then that can lead to serious damage to your engine. The vibrations can damage your transmission, alternator, a/c and any other connected accessories.

Not to mention you’ll be stuck in an uncomfortable car, rattling and vibrating every day. In stop - start traffic it’ll drive you crazy. 

How to tell if you need new engine mounts?

Obviously, based on what we’ve said earlier, if your car is shaking and vibrating excessively then you need to replace your engine mounts. If they are severely damaged in your automatic vehicle, you may notice that the car shudders or ‘slams’ into gears when changing gears. 

How are motor mounts changed?

Luckily this is a job that isn’t too tricky. The mechanic will hoist the vehicle up in the air and support the engine from underneath. Once the engine is supported the engine mounts can be unbolted and removed. The new bushes will be installed and the motor bolted to the mounts. The support will be removed and the car will be lowered back to the ground and returned to the customer.

How much does installing new motor mounts cost in Auckland?

It’s not too complicated to do, depending on the ability to access the engine to support it, expect prices to start around $175 and can go higher than $850 depending on how many need replacing. 

Are broken motor mounts unsafe?

They can be if they affect handling and stability. Motor mounts can also lead to a failed WoF so save yourself the trouble and expense and get a mechanic near you to fix them as soon as possible.

sAn engine mount works to secure the engine and the transmission to the frame of the car, and it’s also designed to help absorb any shocks and vibrations to ensure the driver is not aware of any engine movement.

Usually, motor mounts replacement costs between $224 and $563 for parts and labor, and you can pick the mounts up online for between $38 and $145.

Motor Mount Replacement Cost Comparison

Below are some example costs from some of the leading repair companies in the country, as well as the cost of motor mounts themselves from leading online auto part retailers. With an important repair like this you’ll normally be best going with a mechanic rather than buying parts and trying to fix it yourself, but you may be able to save some money by supplying the parts yourself.

Your Mechanic

Midas

Mr. Tire

Pep Boys

Walmart

Amazon

What Are Motor Mounts?

The majority of cars have several engine mounts, usually made from steel and rubber. In the event one of the mounts breaks, you will be aware of a substantial amount of movement in the engine,  including increased vibration and shaking.

If you notice this additional movement in the engine, make sure you have it inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible. If you drive the car for too long with a broken engine mount there’s a real chance of causing significant damage to the transmission and the axle shafts, which will be a far more expensive repair.

The mounts are not usually checked during the general maintenance of a car, so it’s important that you’re aware of any major changes to how the car feels when you drive it. If you experience any of the symptoms described here, take it in to your local garage to have it checked out.

Any unusual noises or vibrations could be linked to engine mount issues, but the main things to look out for are clunking noises or engine movement, significant vibration when accelerating, any movement in the engine compartment when turning, or leaking oil which may be from a damaged mount.

Benefits of Motor Mount Replacement

Despite being a relatively small part of the engine, faulty or broken engine mounts have the potential to cause some major damage. Having properly fitted and functioning motor mounts prevents various problems with the engine, the alignment of the car, problems with the belts and hoses and even keeps the car from making excessive noise, so keeping them in good working order is highly recommended.

The motor mounts not only keep the engine secure, but they also keep it properly aligned. A faulty mount can cause the engine to drop at one side, and excessive tilting can result in engine block and prevent you from using your car. If you notice any drooping in the engine, have the mounts inspected.

The excessive engine movement caused by a broken motor mount can also cause problems with the belts and hoses in the engine. These parts are particularly at risk when you’re driving at high speeds, so it’s vital your engine is securely fastened to prevent any potential accidents.

When Should You Have The Motor Mounts Replaced?

Like just about every part of your car, the motor mounts are affected by wear and tear and can eventually fail over time. Car engines are large, heavy bits of equipment and a lifetime of stops, starts, bumps and turns will all take their toll on the mounts. They can crack, the rubber fixtures can wear out or become spongy, and they can even just crumble apart in the right circumstances.

One way in which the erosion is accelerated is by liquid from the engine making its way into the mounts. Common culprits include motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and any other liquid involved in the operation of an engine.

Other common reasons for motor mount failure include engine modifications which make the car more powerful than the original design, as well as aggressive driving and cornering.

For smaller cars, it’s a little easier to check for cracks in the mounts than with larger cars. Usually a strong two-handed push should move the engine enough to check the mounts for any cracks or breaks in the mount. For larger cars, a visit to a garage is the best option to assess any possible damage.

If one motor mount is broken, there’s usually a good chance the others are on the way out too. The additional stress placed on them by the broken mount will likely have caused some problems, and they will have been subject to the same stresses and strains as the broken one. As well as replacing the motor mounts, there’s a chance the transmission mount will need to be replaced as well.

What Is Done During Motor Mount Replacement?

1. The mechanic will inspect the engine to ensure there will be no issues with lines or hoses being cracked when the engine is jacked up
2. The engine will be jacked up with multiple blocks of wood to allow the mounts to be taken off safely
3. The mount bolts will be loosened, usually with a universal joint and an extension
4. The mechanic will then go underneath the car to loosen the mount to frame bolts
5. Once the bolts are loose, the engine will be raised a little higher and the motor mounts will be removed
6. The old and new mounts will be compared to ensure they’re the correct part, and any drip or heat shields will be transferred to the new mounts
7. The mount to frame bolts will be threaded before the engine is lowered as it makes alignment much easier
8. The engine will then be lowered back in to place and the bolts securely fastened

How to Save Money on Motor Mount Replacement

The main way to save money on motor mount replacement is to have the car inspected and repaired as soon as you notice any excessive vibration or engine movement. This will minimize the effect of the broken mount on the other engine mounts and will reduce the likelihood of them needing replaced.Having the repair done early will also help prevent any more serious damage being done to the engine, saving you money on additional repairs.

As always, shop around for a few quotes from garages in your local area. The job will involve using equipment which most people won’t have at home, and the importance of the repair to the overall performance of the car means it’s best left to a trained professional. Try to get the best price for the work, but always go with a mechanic with a good reputation.

Sample Engine Mount Replacement Costs

The table below contains the expected repair costs for the most popular car models in the country. While these prices are indicative of what you should expect to pay for these models and the size of car, prices will differ from location to location so use them as a guide only.