Engine mounting, also known as engine support, is a critical automotive system found in vehicles and industrial equipment with motors or engines, connecting and securing the engine to the vehicle's chassis or body. This serves to isolate vibrations and noise produced by the engine, preventing them from being transmitted to the vehicle's cabin or other components, By design to bear the engine's weight and withstand the forces generated during its operation.  Engine mounting is essential for the proper and safe functioning of any motorized machine, ensuring smooth operation, reduced vibration, and extended equipment lifespan.

 

Function

Engine Mounting acts as a critical connection between the engine and chassis, preventing engine vibrations and movements from affecting other vehicle parts. Designed to balance energy absorption and movement, engine mounting ensures stable and efficient vehicle performance, reducing vibration and noise, thereby improving passenger comfort.

  • Supporting the Engine: Supporting the engine is one of the functions of engine mounting and its role in keeping the engine securely attached to the vehicle's chassis, preventing sagging or shifting during driving. It emphasizes the primary role of engine mounts in supporting the powertrain and maintaining a stable position for efficient and reliable vehicle operation throughout its service life. 
  • Vibration Isolation: Engine mounts serve as isolators, absorbing and damping engine vibrations and harmonic oscillations. This reduces noise and improves passenger comfort by preventing excessive vibrations from reaching the vehicle's structure. Besides, the mounting system works as a link between the chassis and the engine, preventing both engine vibrations and impacts from uneven ground from damaging the powertrain.
  • Limiting Displacement: Limiting displacement is a crucial function of the engine mounting system as it refers to the ability to control the movement of the powertrain during dynamic conditions like engine startup, acceleration, deceleration, or encounters with road disturbances. The primary goal is to prevent excessive movement of the powertrain, avoid collisions with surrounding parts, and ensure smooth and safe vehicle operation.

 

 

 

Components

Engine mounts are essential components that prevent excessive engine movement and effectively dampen vibrations. They are typically made of rubber and carefully balance vibration absorption and stability. The weight of the engine block is considered when designing an engine mount.

The main components of an engine mount are the rubber body, which absorbs energy, a sleeve bushing or bonded plate made of steel for added strength and flexibility, and a connection bolt that secures the mount to the engine, transmission, and support structure. Some engine mounts have more complex designs, while others are as simple as a bushing and a bolt. Additional parts may be required depending on the engine mount used.

There are other types of engine mounts called hydro or hydraulic engine mounts, which are filled with fluid or gel. They work the same as only-rubber mounting but have a slightly more complicated structure. There are two fluid chambers that are connected by some channels, which allow the inner components to be interchanged, reducing the heat caused by overall movement and enhances the longevity of hydro engine mounts.

 

 

Types

Car manufacturers use a variety of engine mounts, including hydraulic mounts for high-power engines, solid rubber mounts with steel plates for enhanced shock absorption, strong and stiff metal mounts for direct energy transfer to the tires, and electronic (active) mounts linked to the car's computer for adjustable stiffness based on vibrations and sound.

Engine mounts are critical components of vehicle performance because they secure the engine, reduce vibrations and noise, protect the chassis and transmission, and extend the life of engine components

Engine mounts are positioned differently depending on the engine's orientation. Mounts on the timing side, gearbox side, and bottom of the subframe (pendulum mount) are found on transverse engines. Side mounts are commonly found on longitudinal engines.

 

These parts can come in various shapes depending on engine configuration:

Engine Mounts: These parts absorb vibrations caused by the engine and support the engine. They usually control bouncing engines and prevent rough pitching movements.

Transmission Mounts: These parts absorb shocks caused during transmission operations and support transmission. They manage and prevent bouncing transmissions and pitching.

Center Mounts: These parts are positioned at the front or the back of the engine to control torque-rolling, a situation where engines and transmissions turn back and forth. They are also known by other names such as Roll Mounts or Roll Rods, depending on their function. Center mounts are often used in front-wheel-drive vehicles with huge roll movement whose powertrains roll back and forth while driving.

 

 

 

Failure

Engine mountings, like any other car component, can fail over time. Incorrect installation, excessive engine stress leading to rubber melting or deformation, front collisions causing damage to the mounts, or fluid leaks in hydraulic mounts are all common causes of failing engine mounts. Aggressive driving can also be a reason, since it stresses out the engine and reduces the lifespan.

 

Symptoms of Failure:

  • Increased vibrations:  Every engine mounting part has an anti-vibration system. When the engine mounting fails, this part might also get damaged. Continuous vibration can also affect the engine itself, so when you feel increased sound and vibration, you should get your car examined.
  • Unpleasant rides: From the start until you get off your car, unpleasant lurches and bouncy feelings will follow you. The malfunctioning engine mount can also cause other gears to go bad, and when the problems get combined, the car might lose its damping ability.

 

 

Tests

CTR’s Engine Mounting uses Natural Rubber(NR) made with a special compounding formula to improve overall longevity, making it more durable to its weakness such as ozone or thermal.