Here is a pic of one of mine. While to the untrained eye (that would be me) it looks ok, I don't have any plans for the remainder of this lifetime to be this deep in the car again.

Replace or leave alone???

Thanks,

John
1987 XJ-S V12, 62,000 miles

 

Looks good as new to me.

Others will chime in.

Cheers
DD

 

Looks good to me too - But they can split and still look ok - put a jack under the sump with a block of wood and carefully jack the engine up a few mm DO NOT JACK THE CAR OFF THE GROUND, just enough to see if there are any splits in the mount.

 

They split right under the top plate, so you will not see anything, unless you give it some load. Put your car in D, with hood open, apply breaks and give some throttle. If your motor tilts to the right over 1/2", replace. it is not hard to replace those BTW.

 

Ok, sounds like an inspection is in order...but here I am, hopefully as low into the engine compartment as I'll ever have to go. It took me the better part of two days to get the exhaust manifolds off and to drop the down pipes, something I really never want to do again. All my whining aside, I'm just wondering that after 25 years isn't there something better to replace the motor mounts with than the standard-issue (even if it's new) rubber? Has not 25 years revealed some better way to do it??? If not I'm fine with that, but after all this work I want to make it as good as I can.

Another question that will reveal my ignorance on this topic...is the concept that the rotation of the engine needing to be absorbed in between the engine and the body one of safety, handling, structural soundness or what? Suppose (and I don't intend to do this because clearly generations of car-makers have chosen not to) that the engine was rigidly attached to the frame? What are the downsides of that?

Ignorant but listening...

John
1987 XJ-S V12, 62,000 miles

 

There are many mount designs and materials used by different manufacturers, inlcuding fluid-filled mounts and such.

I'm not aware of anyone offering alternative maounts for the XJS, though.... except perhaps a urethane mount. Those tend to transmit "NVH" (Noise, vibration, and harshness) to the body, though




The downside is huge amounts of "NVH"

Cheers
DD

 

Ok, well, that all makes sense. I can get a pair of them from Rock Auto for about $30, and since I'm down this far (and don't want to ever get down this far again), I'm tempted just to replace them.

Is it possible to do it without an engine hoist? I like the remark by Mish Mish that it's "not hard", but how can a guy in his garage with no special equipment do it?

Thanks!

John

 

It is easy, Pop a jack and block of wood under the sump unbolt the engine mounts and jack the engine off the mounts. It is a bugger of job and patience is needed as with any repair on a Jag.

The rubber mounts are held to the engine and subframe by one nut on the top and bottom.

 

Warren, thanks! Just a few questions to make sure all goes well...

The exhaust maniforlds and down pipes are off the car. Given that, I take it the engine will be stable enough (won't want to roll one way or the other) if it's only being supported at one point? I'm assuming the transmission keeps it upright.

Is there anything else I should be checking/doing while I have the engine off the monuts?

Thanks,

John

 

While you are in there check the engine earth lead and connection points these are on the LHS of the car and connect the engine to the subframe and then to the body. MAy as well check the power steering hoses as they are in the area, check the low pressure return hose is not hard or brittle, a new hose and double clamps will fix it if it is.