Two maintenance questions...

[93silverbulletSH0]

First, will having bad motor mounts cause any other damage? There is quite a bit of engine movement and if I push in the clutch very quickly while transitioning between lower gears (1st to 2nd sometime 2nd to 3rd) I can feel and hear the engine clunking forward (or backward?). The reason I ask, rather than fixing the problem, is I have no time right now and would like to wait until winter break, unless I will be causing other damage.

Second, where the <herf> is all my oil going? I know SHOs usually burn some oil- like one quart every 3k, as my car used to, but between the last change and now (about 3k) I have added 2 qts. There is some oil leakage, but only leaves about 5 quarter sized drops on the driveway between changes (mobile 1 every 3k btw). I'm wondering if more oil leaks from somewhere while running at highway speed, but not when parked or something to that effect. Could it be rod bearings on the way out?

Thanks

 

[dantheman68]

rod bearings will not cause an oil leak, only low oil pressures, but low oil pressure isnt always rod bearings either... many people drive on broken motor mounts, and some have some pretty rigged up ones to "get by" if you want, you can take it out and fix it yourself, for about $10 and some heavy grade bolts but id reccomend just buying a re-enforced one, since it will be less of a hassle, and usually made better and more secure than what you can do yourself

 

[93silverbulletSH0]

I know rod bearings wouldn't cause leakage, I thought the exrta friction they would cause if they are going bad might burn off more oil. Your right about the reinforced mounts, will be getting those when I have time to put them in. Thanks for the input.

 

[yamapowered]

First, will having bad motor mounts cause any other damage? There is quite a bit of engine movement and if I push in the clutch very quickly while transitioning between lower gears (1st to 2nd sometime 2nd to 3rd) I can feel and hear the engine clunking forward (or backward?). The reason I ask, rather than fixing the problem, is I have no time right now and would like to wait until winter break, unless I will be causing other damage.

Second, where the <herf> is all my oil going? I know SHOs usually burn some oil- like one quart every 3k, as my car used to, but between the last change and now (about 3k) I have added 2 qts. There is some oil leakage, but only leaves about 5 quarter sized drops on the driveway between changes (mobile 1 every 3k btw). I'm wondering if more oil leaks from somewhere while running at highway speed, but not when parked or something to that effect. Could it be rod bearings on the way out?

Thanks

fix the motor mounts asap they do cause other issues.

how long have you been using Mobil1? and how has the compsumption been during the use of M1?
I have a new oil leak at the camshaft seal now
synthetic lubricant isnt cheap

 

[RStalveyARFF]

A big question is how many miles are on the car?

 

[93rev2sev]

If the mounts are bad enough, the battery could get cut by the alternator pully, spewing acid all over the front of your engine or even exploding.

I suppose thats the worst case scenario...other than an engine in your lap after a particularly short shift.

realistically, the most common problem that I have had with bad mounts in front wheel drive cars, is exhaust leaks; particularly at the exhaust donut.

 

[93rev2sev]

oh yea, one other thing....
The shifter equalizer to transmission mounting boss is quite weak. Having your engine bounce around will definately not be good for that boss. If it breaks, you will have no gears.

And...check the clearance between the DIS and the shock tower mounted engine roll damper bracket. Bad subframe bushings OR bad mounts can cause the DIS to get clipped by that bracket and crack as the engine moves up and down between shifts.

 

[93silverbulletSH0]

how long have you been using Mobil1? and how has the compsumption been during the use of M1?
I have a new oil leak at the camshaft seal now
synthetic lubricant isnt cheap

I have been using M1 since I got the car about 9k miles ago. In the first 6k it used about 2qts total, in the last 3k it has also used about 2qts. Just changed the oil today and will be keeping a closer eye on the oil consumption. I used Pennzoil platinum this oil change because walmart was out of M1- cheapest place to buy oil that I have found.

A big question is how many miles are on the car?

A little over 130k. Good maintenance history. It doesn't smoke out of the tailpipe.

Thanks for the input everyone. Hopefully I can make some time to do the mounts asap. About how long does it take to do both mounts?

 

[seraphiem]

I'm thinkin 2 quarts every 3k isn't too bad.

Any visible signs of leaking? Your starting to get up in miles where leaks on the pan, front and rear crank seal, cam seals, oil pressure switch, and oil pressure level sender all could start leaking.

No smoke out the tailpipe? If your not leaking it its either blowby past rings, oil introduced to combustion by a plugged PCV system, or worn valve stem seals.

 

[dpsutphin]

You probably have a leak somewhere in the rear valve cover. Usually it will drip straight onto one of the cats and burn off. If the car is moving, you won't see the smoke (and synthetic oil doesn't smoke as much as regular oil anyway).

Let it run at idle for a while, and shine a light down the passenger side rear of the engine, and you will probably see your leak. New valve cover gaskets are the only way to fix it if that is what it is.

 

[djcannon]

For the oil leak, I'd also check your drain plug gasket...the washer that sits between the bolt and pan. Those can wear after a while and cause leakage.

 

[93silverbulletSH0]

I will check the above in the next couple of days. dpsutphin- good suggestion, that seems like it could be the culprit