GT 2.4l Passenger side motor mount

Technical info on the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix including do-it-yourself info
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butlerjonas
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:31 pm

GT 2.4l Passenger side motor mount

Post by butlerjonas »

This an oddly specific question. 2009 Vibe GT. Does anyone know if the top passenger side motor mount is supposed to bulge at the bottom? I'm talking about the black steel part that mounts to the frame by the coolant tank-the cylinder with rubber in it-is there supposed to be a protrusion/bubble underneath it or does that mean the mount has failed?
Here's why I ask. I have significant vibration between 700 and 1100 RPM. Replacing that one mount (all others are new OEM) seems to eliminate or, at least reduce vibration, but only for a few hours. In that time, the engine gradually sinks lower on that side and the bubble on the bottom gets bigger, to a certain point, and then stays where it is and the vibration is back just as prior.
I figure:
A: the mount (replaced 3 times, OEM) keeps failing for some reason
B: the mount is fine and something else is causing vibration
Please let me know.
Thanks!
09 Vibe GT
2AZ-FE 2.4L (upgraded pistons)
Valvoline MaxLife Full Synthetic 5w-20/Toyota TRD filter
Valvoline MaxLife ATF
Toyota/Denso air filter
NGK Laser Iridium spark plugs
Broken volume knob
Vibration at idle
zbyers
Posts: 1767
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:12 pm
Location: Sheffield, Pennsylvania

Re: GT 2.4l Passenger side motor mount

Post by zbyers »

Have you replaced any other motor mounts? They typically should be replaced in pairs (sides together, front/back together).
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butlerjonas
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:31 pm

Re: GT 2.4l Passenger side motor mount

Post by butlerjonas »

I didn't do them in that order. I replaced rear/driver side, then front, then passenger side last. I still don't know if the passenger side mount is bad. Does it bulge at the bottom? The engine was rebuilt so there are a lot of potential errors that could cause this vibration that wasn't there before.
09 Vibe GT
2AZ-FE 2.4L (upgraded pistons)
Valvoline MaxLife Full Synthetic 5w-20/Toyota TRD filter
Valvoline MaxLife ATF
Toyota/Denso air filter
NGK Laser Iridium spark plugs
Broken volume knob
Vibration at idle
tpollauf
Posts: 4023
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:37 am
Location: Toledo/Oregon, Port Clinton Ohio
Contact:

Re: GT 2.4l Passenger side motor mount

Post by tpollauf »

Not sure if any of this helps BUT here are pics of GOOD motor mounts and a couple pages out of the Vibe repair manual with some information!

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2009 Vibe GT (manual), 2009 G8Gt, 2009 Vibe GT (auto)
2014 Silverado, 2004 Vibe GT

"everything is modifiable"
butlerjonas
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:31 pm

Re: GT 2.4l Passenger side motor mount

Post by butlerjonas »

Thanks! That looks just like mine. I guess it's not the mount(s). I'm leaning toward it being the balance shafts or some kind of rebuild error. It could be the exhaust since I had a new cat put on, but I doubt it. Any ideas are always appreciated. There may be something I haven't thought of that can cause vibration between 700 and 1100 RPM only.
09 Vibe GT
2AZ-FE 2.4L (upgraded pistons)
Valvoline MaxLife Full Synthetic 5w-20/Toyota TRD filter
Valvoline MaxLife ATF
Toyota/Denso air filter
NGK Laser Iridium spark plugs
Broken volume knob
Vibration at idle
butlerjonas
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:31 pm

Re: GT 2.4l Passenger side motor mount

Post by butlerjonas »

I should add that, in addition to the vibration, the car jerks/shakes (sometimes hard) on start up.
09 Vibe GT
2AZ-FE 2.4L (upgraded pistons)
Valvoline MaxLife Full Synthetic 5w-20/Toyota TRD filter
Valvoline MaxLife ATF
Toyota/Denso air filter
NGK Laser Iridium spark plugs
Broken volume knob
Vibration at idle
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