Engine Mount Surprise

[ColonelPanic]

The starter died on the Vibe. As I was crawling underneath to check some things out, I noticed a lot of fluid on the passenger side splash shield running down from above. Really nasty looking fluid.

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Traced it up to the right engine mount. Sure enough, I could squeeze the rubber piece underneath the mount and fluid would leak out of it. I've never seen one of these die before, it was interesting...

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I've heard horror stories about aftermarket engine mount quality, but an OEM ACDelco is $268. What's a good least worst option that won't cost a sizable chunk of what this old car is worth?

[tpollauf]

So the motor mounts act like a sponge and absorb water (when driving through rain/snow) and then slowly releases the moisture from shock/bumps over several miles to where it oozes out as shown in your pics? Never seen anything like that before

[ColonelPanic]

Apparently these mounts are "liquid-filled" to absorb vibrations. And just like everything else on this car, the rubber that holds the liquid in has deteriorated, so it can't hold in its liquid.

[Caretaker]

...the rubber that holds the liquid in has deteriorated, so it can't hold in its liquid.

Never a good thing when you're a teenager, that's for sure. I was talking about our teenage Vibes............what were you thinking?

[zbyers]

I have never heard of these mounts being liquid filled.

[ColonelPanic]

...the rubber that holds the liquid in has deteriorated, so it can't hold in its liquid.

Never a good thing when you're a teenager, that's for sure. I was talking about our teenage Vibes............what were you thinking?

She'll be 18 in less than a year, at this point she's probably gonna do what she's gonna do. I can only hope she meets up with one of the other 1st gen Vibes in the neighborhood. How else are we gonna get new Vibes?

I have never heard of these mounts being liquid filled.

Looking at replacements, the right front mounts say "Hydraulic" in some of the descriptions. Looks to me like the mounts for the other locations might just be rubber, idk. It's definitely busted and leaking *something* on this one. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Ordered a Beck Arnley mount, the few reviews of it I found were generally favorable. I'll post pics of the broken one when I'm done changing it out.

[cptnsolo77]

Man, I wish i would have saw this post sooner. Dont know how much you paid but the OEM is around 135 bucks from here: https://parts.conicellitoyotaofconshohocken.com/

I just replaced 3 of mine and posted the vids that helped me here: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=47246&p=527091#p527091

[SeattleJeremy]

Subaru put hydraulic engine mounts in 2006 STi's. Several customers and tuners found similar leaky results after adding a little power and using the car as intended (like a rally car). If memory serves customers received the older style mount under warranty, then used the solid rubber ones in 07+.

However, this style of mount was used successfully in normal cars.

[ColonelPanic]

Man, I wish i would have saw this post sooner. Dont know how much you paid but the OEM is around 135 bucks from here: https://parts.conicellitoyotaofconshohocken.com/

I just replaced 3 of mine and posted the vids that helped me here: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=47246&p=527091#p527091

No worries. The Beck Arnley mount was about 65 bucks. Hopefully it works out to be a decent compromise between OEM and the uber cheap mounts... Price-wise, it does anyway.

Thanks for the link to the videos! I'll have to check those out. I'll probably look into replacing the others in the spring.

[ColonelPanic]

Finally replaced that mount today. That thing was smoked!

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Closeup of the tear and fluid leak. I later ripped it open further, there was no fluid left in there.

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Done! Piece of cake.

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The Beck Arnley mount (P/N 104-1736) seems to be of good quality and the fit was perfect. Took her down the road, so far so good. I *think* that even resolved the clunk I was hearing when accelerating from a stop. Haven't driven the car for a month because of this broken mount, it's nice to be behind the wheel of the Vibe again.

I'll tackle the remaining mounts in the spring.

[zbyers]

Did you tear open the new one to make sure that it was fluid-filled also?

Glad to hear this [hopefully] resolves your issues!