Zoom-zoom without worries with heavy-duty Saturn engine mount

Anthony Fontanelle
August 9, 2007

The engine system fitted on every Saturn is composed of a network of tubes and gears that produces the required horsepower to run the car. Each time that the Saturn accelerates or climbs a steep road, the engine throbs violently from the effort of producing and discharging that power. But that vibration is hardly felt inside the car cabin. On account of the Saturn engine mount the car is not shaken even if hard combustion stirs up its engine.

The Saturn engine mount is the device where the engine is placed, giving it support and isolating it from other steel parts surrounding the engine block. Auto parts like the radiator, ignition system, among others, sit close to the engine system and are likely to affect engine performance. The Saturn engine mount is composed of two metal parts joined by a rubber insulator. One end of the mounting points of the Saturn engine is bolted to the block and the other one is fastened to the vehicle frame. The rubber mount absorbs the engine rattle and conveys it smoothly to the ground. It keeps other parts around the engine system in their places as well. When engine vibration is felt even while the car is at a stop, the condition of the Saturn engine mount may not be up to specs anymore.

Most factory-installed Saturn engine mounts are designed as a soft, flexible mount. While this creates a comfortable drive, the vehicle is subjected to a larger amount of engine movement, especially on hard acceleration. To determine if the Saturn engine mount is still in good condition, the rubber insulator has to be well lubricated and intact. A dry and crumbly rubber insulator means the Saturn engine mount is not getting the desired swing required to cancel out the vibrations in the engine. It is normal for the bolts to corrode but if the corrosion is at an advanced state, it is probably time to replace the Saturn engine mount. Also, check if the bolts are fastened securely to their respective positions. A defective Saturn engine mount can loosen and detach other nearby parts, not just the car's engine.

Source:  Amazines.com