So today I decided I was going to replace the engine mount. I have had it in a box for a while and as the sun was out why not.
I have read posts, and purchased 101 projects again with similar information. A simple project two spanners what could go wrong
Well jacked the car up as high as possible axle stands at the read. Engine supported with a trolley jack to take the slack as directed in the book. Under panels off.
4 main bolts removed no problem. However the last two that need to be loosened but not removed are a pig to get too. Quarter turn after quarter turn. We got there.
But. When trying to removed the bolts holding the mount to the engine body it was not possible to remove them. There are rubber tubes I think for the cooling system. In the project book there is no mention of these. Also when trying to remove completely the lower bolts the left hand side bolt is restricted by the body. I was under the car for an hour and half wiggling, bolting up unbolting but no joy. In the end we put it back together with the old mount.
Anyone else encountered this issue?
A simple job but was impossible to complete today. Do I need to remove the coolant hoses and drain the system to get the engine mount off. Seems a bit drastic to do a simple job but in turn will need to do a far harder job. Frustrated.
....When trying to removed the bolts holding the mount to the engine body it was not possible to remove them. There are rubber tubes I think for the cooling system.
Would it have helped to remove the bracket that holds the hoses in place - then one near the foam rubber support for those hoses - in the center transmission tunnel? I seemed to have remember reading that somewhere.
Yeah we removed them which was a pain. There were two bolts either side of the hoses. The right hand bolt although hard to remove came out. The other side was impossible. Was being blocked by the engine body. Aborting mission due to one bolt is so frustrating.
When you put it back together, be sure to torque the long studs into the body at the proper torque. If you just put them in finger tight, when you but the bolts on them, they will pull out of the body and you will be in a world of doo doo.
Most of the write ups on motor mount replacement omit this very important step.
__________________ Current car
2000 Boxster 2.7l red/black
Previous cars
1973 Opel Manta
1969(?) Fiat 850 Convertible
1979 Lancia Beta Coupe
1981 Alfa Romeo GTV 6
1985 Alfa Romeo Graduate
1985 Porsche 944
1989 Porsche 944
1981 Triumph TR7
1989 (?) Alfa Romeo Milano
1993 Saab 9000
When you put it back together, be sure to torque the long studs into the body at the proper torque. If you just put them in finger tight, when you but the bolts on them, they will pull out of the body and you will be in a world of doo doo.
Most of the write ups on motor mount replacement omit this very important step.
Thanks for the tip. I got them ratchet tight but will go back under in a day or two and torque them see if they have come loose.
the 2 top bolts don't have to come off just loosen them. I went to Harbor freight and got a set of long handle box wrenches. Loosened those 2 top bolts just enough to get it out. As far as the 2 lower bolts, I lowered the engine on the scissor jack an inch or 2 just enough to pull it out just like Pedro's directions say and I was able to get the motor mount out.
the 2 top bolts don't have to come off just loosen them. I went to Harbor freight and got a set of long handle box wrenches. Loosened those 2 top bolts just enough to get it out. As far as the 2 lower bolts, I lowered the engine on the scissor jack an inch or 2 just enough to pull it out just like Pedro's directions say and I was able to get the motor mount out.
Thinking about it. I don't think I lowered the engine enough. The top two bolts were fine to loosen although a bit tight up there. It was the lower bolts it was just too long to remove it fully.
I will have another go at it. Hopefully this time I get it right. Will take the advice on board.
Undo the two horizontal pipe mounts that go towards the front of the car... if you undo the two inner bolts the lower part of the bracket slides out of the upper part and the two pipes come loose. This allows you to flex the water hoses a little further at the back to get the mount out. Don't be afraid to bend those big rubber hoses a bit at the back - they wont break! Lowering the engine helps but be careful because the exhaust tips will contact the rear skirt and pry upwards if you lower it too much.
If you jack your car up from the rear only the engine will want to come forward slightly once you undo the mount in the front... its easier to do when the car is level... just sayin'
H
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Previously owned:
2000 Boxster S 3.2 Ocean Blue / 1974 911 Targa Silver
Glad I caught this, off next week for the "yearly Boxster maintenance cycle" and have the mount to replace... Mine is totally shot, can use a jack to raise and lower the front of the engine a good inch or two. Torque from a fast start the damn thing thumps bad...
I managed to get one in once starting with a hammer and the old bushing to push it, then clamps. What a mess. Next one I took to a local shop and they pressed it in for $25. Well worth it to have the shop do it if you don't have a press with the right set-up.
Here's a video I made last time I replaced the mount:
__________________ I am not an attorney, mechanic, or member of the clergy. Following any advice given in my posts is done at your own peril.
I managed to get one in once starting with a hammer and the old bushing to push it, then clamps. What a mess. Next one I took to a local shop and they pressed it in for $25. Well worth it to have the shop do it if you don't have a press with the right set-up.
Here's a video I made last time I replaced the mount:
That's a great video and good narration. Thanks!
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5280 Cruising @High Altitude
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