Engine mounts- life

[Steve McF]

Just wondered - what is the expected life of engine mounts?

I don't think I have ever replaced an engine mount on any car I have ever had, but was thinking that if they do start to fail, what are the symptoms and what is the cost/ease of replacing them?

[Audax]

Expected life time of an engine mount is the life of the car. If they fail then you will get vibrations transmitted into the cabin and possibly poor handling and gear change problems.

[Max Headroom]

I changed the rubber engine mounts on my MG Midget when I rebuilt the engine some twenty years ago. Looking at them now they look in dire need of replacing again!  Different car, I know but...

[Steve McF]

I just wondered because rubber does wear out, harden, crack etc. It's been a while since I've had a car as old as my 9-3, and I'm steadily going to be renewing things as and when I think of them (and think they need doing )

[Audax]

I changed the rubber engine mounts on my MG Midget when I rebuilt the engine some twenty years ago. Looking at them now they look in dire need of replacing again!  Different car, I know but...

Twenty years is about the expected lifetime of a car (well, actually longer than expected I'd say) so not surprising they need doing again at that age. Saab seemed to use high quality long life materials for things like engine mounts so they are uncommon to need replacing but who knows what will start to fail at the 20 year mark on the 9-3, we have another 4-5 years to find out.

[Steve McF]

My concern is not mounts - it's chain guides and chains first...oh and may be turbo!!