We had motor mounts replaced in August, should we be replacing them already again?

We paid to have motor mounts replaced in August this year (2016), should we be replacing them already again?

My car has 105000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Unless you have been racing or abusing the vehicle the motor mounts should last years and years. I would recommend having a mechanic like one from YourMechanic come and check the vehicle out to see if it is the mounts or an engine/transmission problem that could be breaking the mounts. If your transmission is being engaged with the engine revving too high it could break motor mounts.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

While you don`t necessarily need to change all engine mounts at once, if you don`t replace them all, you should pay closer attention to them, as they`re likely to be the same age as the part you`re replacing.
In general, motor mounts do not have a scheduled replacement but should last between 5 to 10 years before dry rot or breaking from age-related failure. Motor mounts can get broken from slamming the vehicle, gears over-revving, and letting out clutch or power braking the engine before takeoff.
If you are having a motor mount issue, it is very important to get it looked at by a professional mechanic and repaired as soon as possible. A failing motor mount can lead to serious engine damage and will also greatly impact the performance of the vehicle. It is very unsafe to drive with a broken motor mount.
Car, Truck , Bike and various vehicle engine & suspension mounts and bushes can often easily be refurbished using polyurethane, mainly due to the low cost and quick turnaround time. We offer this very popular service where we refurbish Engine Mounts, Suspension Mounts, suspension bushes using polyurethane.
Motor mount replacement is a big job, though, so be wary of any mechanic or dealer that is offering to do the job for a price that seems too good to be true.
A very simple steel or rubber mount may start around $10 and can rise to $150, depending on the make and model of vehicle. Complicated hydraulic or active motor mounts will tend to be more expensive, starting at more than $50 and rising to the $200 range.
Engine mounts go bad due to age and stress. The rubber casing will deteriorate after time, much like a rubber band will lose its elasticity over time, which will start to develop small cracks, which will, in turn, cause the fluid from within to leak out.
Climatically, one of the leading benefits of upgrading your engine mounts is apex performance power. The amount of vibration varies from vehicle to vehicle depending on model, horsepower, and mount brand. Nevertheless, the upgrade to a stronger metal mount is nonetheless ideal for more highly modified vehicles.
The radiator turned out to be clogged. The clutch disc was stuck to the flywheel. Still using the same plugs. Bad motor mounts wouldn`t affect mileage, but they are an indication that the vehicle has reached a point where it probably needs maintenance and a thorough check up.
Engine misfire could be caused by worn or broken motor mounts that raise the motor on one side while the vehicle is accelerating. The stress on the engine control wiring harness can cause breaks in the injector or sensor wires, which then causes drivability concerns such as poor fuel economy and engine misfires.
Typically, one motor mount fails before the others. As an engine revs, it wants to rotate in the same direction as the crankshaft. That tends to stretch one motor mount and compress the others. Usually, the mount that stretches is the one that fails first, Mazor said.
Because they create a metal-on-metal connection, they permit the most vibration and noise. However, they also transfer the most amount of power to the wheels because they flex very little under load. Pritts says solid mounts should be used only for competition because of the vibration and noise factors.
Signs of a Broken or Loose Motor Mount

Over time, it`s fairly common for the engine mounts to weaken. In some severe cases, a mount can even snap. If any of the motor mounts aren`t securely keeping the engine in place, it will cause problems and it can make the vehicle very dangerous to drive.

As your motor mounts wear out, they can cause vibrations and engine shaking that can cause your entire vehicle to experience a decrease in ride quality.
Replacing engine mounts isn`t too difficult but it can be fiddly. Always check for obstructions between engine and wall (such as crimped AC lines or radiator hoses) before you start.
A classic passenger car with 2WD, rear wheel drive, and longitudinal engine placement will have 2 motor mounts and 1 transmission mount. A modern SUV with FWD, transverse engine mount, and automatic transaxle will, likely, have 2 (or 3) primary engine/ transaxle mounts and 2 torque links.
Low Carbon Steel is the most commonly used metal in engine mounts because it is cost effective and strong. However, aluminum is also a top contender for engine mount metals because it provides higher strength and a lighter weight. Although it does come at a higher cost than steel.
Generally, motor mounts last a very long time, sometimes the lifetime of the vehicle. However, depending on operating conditions, they can wear out as the miles add up. To avoid excessive damage or serious safety problems, it`s a good idea to have the motor mounts inspected to make sure they don`t need to be replaced.
Heavy Vibrations: One symptom of a bad motor mount could be heavy vibrations. This might make you feel like your car is “bouncing” down the road. Clunking and Shaking: Another symptom of a bad motor mount could be clunking or shaking when driving over bumps in the road.
Engine Mount Replacement Cost

On average, one can expect to pay between $200-$500 to have a vehicle`s engine mount replaced. However, in rare cases, this cost can be even higher. Of this price, approximately $30-$100 is attributed to parts cost, while roughly $170-$400 results from labor-related expenses.

these noises can include thumping, clunking, rattling and clanging. if you hear suspicious noises, see your mechanic right away. 2. excessive engine vibrations: as the soft parts of the motor mounts wear out, they lose their ability to both absorb vibrations and keep the engine stable.
Motor mounts keep your engine attached to the car. Weak or broken mounts can`t hold the engine tight in the engine compartment and creates a vibration at idle.
Typically, a broken engine mount will not make the engine fall out of the car, even though it may feel like it has. It is almost impossible for a motor to fall out of a car because it is attached to the transmission, and both would have to fall out for this to be possible.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

We had motor mounts replaced in August, should we be replacing them already again?
ANSWER : Unless you have been racing or abusing the vehicle the motor mounts should last years and years. I would recommend having a mechanic like one from YourMechanic come and check the vehicle out to see if it is the mounts or an engine/transmission problem that could be breaking the mounts. If your transmission is being engaged with the engine revving too high it could break motor mounts.

Are the motor mounts touched during a tune up? When are the motor mounts touched?
ANSWER : There is nothing in a basic tune up that would require loosening or touching the motor mounts. If the motor mounts are in fact loose, they could potentially cause damage to the axles if the motor were to shift enough while driving; however, this would take time and there would have been a very distinct vibration and clunk that you would have very likely noticed while driving. I would recommend having a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, come take a look at the car to properly diagnose and repair your motor mount problem.

What is cost to neutralize motor mounts, I switched out front mount but now it vibrates off of frame
ANSWER : I believe you need to replace all of your mounts. You are saying it is touching the frame, so I would suggest the rest of them be replaced also. You may also look around and see if you have anything obstructing the fact that it isn’t sitting properly. I hope this helps with your issue.

I changed out the top motor mount twice. I still have vibration. Could it be the lower motor mounts?
ANSWER : To check for engine-mount problems, you can try shifting from "neutral" to "drive" and back, while the engine is running. If the vibrations disappear or reduce dramatically in "neutral," it’s likely that you need new engine mounts. Whenever there is excessive engine vibration, be sure to first rule out engine operating conditions. For example, rough running at idle can be caused by faults in the air induction system as well as the ignition and fuel systems. If you want the running condition of the engine evaluated by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request a rough idle diagnostic. To evaluate the motor mounts, request an engine vibration diagnostic. If you do end up replacing additional motor mounts, genuine OEM mounts are recommended in order to maximize the chances of resolving the problem. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

When should I replace a motor mount on a 2004 kia optima?
ANSWER : Hello. The motor mounts on vehicles in general should be inspected every 50,000 miles. I’ve seen motor mounts become excessively worn on vehicles with as low as 30,000 miles so it wouldn’t be a surprise if yours are due for replacement at 60,000 miles. The main part of motor mounts and made of rubber and sometimes the rubber what the teary rate quicker than average depending on the types of elements its exposed to (heat,cold,vibrations,and rough driving are elements in which a motor mount will be exposed). I would say the book time for the motor mount replacement is about an hour and a half. I will get a quote sent to you regarding the labor cost.
To replace the crankshaft position sensor yes you will have to remove the motor mount, power steering pump and the timing belt. The crankshaft position sensor should be a 2.5 to 3.5 hour job. Technicians here at Yourmechanic could provide the repairs for you if requested.

Hi I had a friend replace my motor mounts on my 2004 Pacifica v-6. Apparently getting them in and out were difficult.
ANSWER : Hi there. The leaks from the transmission could have came from the oil pan. When using a jack to lift up the engine, if the jack was sitting on the transmission oil pan, it probably cracked the pan, or the jack could have cause a line to bend and rupture. Go under the vehicle and look for the signs of leaks and look to see if there is any damage to the transmission. Do not attempt to start the vehicle with no oil in the transmission as this will damage the transmission. Replace the parts that are damaged and fill up the transmission with new fluid. If you need further assistance with your engine not starting after you discovered transmission oil under the vehicle, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Pulled motor and put in a newer motor but can’t get motor mounts to line up ?
ANSWER : The first thing to do is to compare the motor mounts on old and new motor to make sure they are the same on each motor and swap them if they are not the same.

2005 Nissan Altima SE 3.5L, motor mount replacement
ANSWER : Any broken motor mounts should be replaced immediately. If "all" are broken, then all should be replaced immediately. The problem with operating a vehicle with damaged mounts is the engine gets out of position and that can cause collateral damage to the CV axles (as the CV axles, in turn, run out of position) and other components. HOWEVER, it is unusual for all mounts to in fact be bad, all at the same time, and so you should ask that the mechanic PROVE to you that the (or each) mount is defective (show you, by visual demonstration, the break, deterioration or other fault in the mount) before you make a decision. Trust but VERIFY. If no actual evidence is shown to you of a fault in the mount and/or if the explanation that is given to you of the fault does not make sense to you, run for the exits. Alternatively, get a second opinion, but there again, you have to have proof. If it turns out that you need new mounts, do not waste your time with aftermarket mounts. A motor mount is a high tech, highly engineered part these days and indeed some are actually hydraulic in operation. If you want the motor mounts that were designed for your car, buy the mounts from the dealer (OEM). That is the ONLY way you can be sure they will fit and work properly. As far as the serpentine belt is concerned, generally the belt only needs to be replaced every 100,000 miles or so. If your belt is original, absolutely replace it. However, if the belt has been replaced already and perhaps has only 50,000 miles or so on it, there is no need to replace it again now. If the belt is replaced, all of the pulleys, the tensioner, and all rotating elements in the circuit, MUST be carefully inspected and replaced as needed. You might ask the mechanic the open ended question, "what about the pulleys that the belt rides on?". If he doesn’t immediately state in response, "after we remove the belt, of course we inspect the pulleys for smoothness of operation and to be sure the grease is still good", run for the exits.

If you desire an inspection of the motor mounts (and drive belt), and advice and replacement as needed, please simply request motor/transmission mount inspection/replacement and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.