How to tell if motor mounts are bad

[London]

Hey guys, kinda a general question but I searched and couldn't find anything. I was wondering, what are signs that the motor mounts should be replaced? I checked mine today and the sides are bulged out a little but I don't see any cracks at all and them seem on center. I just want to know because I've heard that thats generally a good thing to replace before your fan punches a hole in your radiator. So how do I check? Do you guys just go OEM? Or some other company?

[brianao34]

You can jack up your engine and see if the engine lifts off the mounts.

[London]

Ok, thats what I figured. Should i jack from the oilpan? But put like a block of wood between jack and pan? Or is that a very bad idea...

[ttrousdell]

I use a block of wood and jack it up like that all the time. If the mounts are cracking or are starting to become noticeably compressed, its prob time to replace.

[jlevie]

As stated above, jacking up the engine to check for separation of the mounts is one test. Other signs of mount failure are the right side mount being thinner (more squashed) than the left side mount, bulging of the mounts, or cracks. Unless replaced in the last 6-7 years you can take it as an article of faith that new motor and transmission mounts are needed on an E30.