Broken engine mount

[twobone]

The carb side engine mount for my crossflow kent motor is cracked on one of the arms near where it meets the engine.

 

My mechanic suggested he just weld it up quickly at our next visit.

 

I noticed that a new one is for sale on ebay. Is it an easy replace item for a DIY or mechanic?

 

Or am I better to just get it welded up.

 

I'm thinking replace, unless it works out to many hours of labour.

 

Thanks

[danilo]

Dunno How old your car is. But My old Lotus 7 used to crack the mount metal on a regular basis. Sometimes twice in a season. Only a fresh set of fabricated 'new' ones solved the problem permanently.

Likely your new to you replacement could break as well?

Weld your existing one in situ, then start thinking about a bespoke decent substitute at your leisure?

[Dave W]

If you going to get the mount welded, go ahead and reinforce or gusset the area that is cracking at the same time you repair it. It not that much more effort once the mount is removed.

Dave W

[MHKflyer52]

twobone,

I would replace the mount and then repair the broken one and keep it as a spare.

You might also want to try and figure out why the mount broke where it did and then fix it by adding a gusset as suggested by Dave W.

You also might want to look into replacing the rubber mounts while you have the time as I have found on other cars that I have if the rubber mounts are letting the parts move to much due to being worn out or softened from heat and oil and other things then some parts like the motor mounts then get over stressed and break from fatigue.

Just a suggestion.

[Kitcat]

Worn rubber motor mounts are a known problem area on Caterhams. Replacing them every coupla years is a good practice.

[Ian7]

Is it the metal-backed rubber puck mount , or the V-shaped metal arms that go up to the engine bracket?

Either way it's a dead-easy fix. Floor jack under the pan, just enough pressure to take the weight, and unbolt and replace the whole contraption.

 

Easy, faster, and better than welding in-situ. IMHO

[bsimon]

While you are sorting the engine mounting bracket, it would be a good time to replace the rubber isolators as well. Caterhams prior to ~2000 had rather dangerous isolators that can separate completely during a failure event. Later isolators have a safety feature that keeps the mount contained when the rubber fails. If you order replacement isolators from Caterham, you will get these new improved versions.

 

The older (pre 2000) HPC and race chassis were supplied with safety "catchers" that would prevent the isolators from completely separating in a catastrophic manor. Most builders just tossed them aside as they didn't come with any instructions. Only the racers knew what they were for, and that info was passed by word of mouth.

 

The late model mounts completely alleviate the need for the safety catchers.

[twobone]

Thanks

Let me have a closer look

Appreciate the feedback!