Talk to me about engine mounts (please)?

[Ferrit]

I am about to replace the stabiliser bar bushes with orange (groan) PU buses from Mark.  I guess I need to look at all the engine mounts now/at some point.  Should I just get on with it and replace the lot?

[peteracs]

Hi Mark

I would check them out first. The one under the crank pulley is often soft and covered in oil, the other two are often not as bad.

Peter

[Ferrit]

Thanks again for the steer Peter.

[Nigel]

I'd be cautious of using PU in any engine mounting due to my
experience with a previous Mazda.
One of the mountings was badly broken, and I 'repaired' it with epoxy
PU.
It was a massive failure as vibration went right through the car.
It was undrivable. I tried removing a large portion I'd put in but there
was virtually no improvement.
Perhaps ask Mark for some feedback from other users.

Peter is on the money with the engine mount. If it's dry and visibly supporting, i.e. the
wedge shape is up, it's ok. As he says, the others don't suffer generally.

N.

[WestonE]

Nigel raises a good point on the hardness of engine mounts. I think Mark has this sorted out BUT some Montecarlo PU engine mounts are just too hard bringing vibration and buzz into your world. On Betas do check the engine damping shock absorbers are fully working including their rubber bushes. Without this your engine can wander about banging the exhaust on the floor and making gear shifts challenging. On Montes we add and extra engine mount to the rear bulkhead to stop the engine whipping under power trashing the exhaust.

[rossocorsa]

For the gearbox one take it off and look at the subframe underneath, the subframe typically cracks here but it's not obvious until the mount is removed.

[Ferrit]

Thank you all.  I had the rad out to replace a hose to the airfilter I had bought so felt obliged to fit now, and was staring at the front engine mount.  I had a quick look/prod at the front pulley mount and I think its okay.  I will investigate more now I have a plan based on what you have all said.  Thank you again.  I will report back.