[greg fowler]

Hey guys,
I have a 2001 Focus ZTS.
I have a vibration while the engine is running whether the car is moving or not....and whether the clutch is engaged or not. From the outside the engine sounds fine.
I am thinking it's either a broken motor mount, a loose heat shield, or possible some kind of sensor because it seems at times to change due to atmospheric or temperature changes.
Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Greg

 

[gnoyola]

Yup motor mount. What ever you do don't buy aftermarket mounts to save money and get dealer mounts. I had a horrible time with aftermarket mounts till I bought dealer ones. Call Steve for a price Steve

1-800-328-9552 and ask for Steve

 

[Cnelson12]

You should be able to see the passenger side mount pretty easy, its just below the coolant reservoir. The drivers side mount is more difficult, its under the stock airbox, and you may need to remove the battery box to see it clearly. The rear or 'dog bone' mount is under the car, bolted to the back of the transmission and subframe. Inspect them, and see if there is any obvious damage.

 

[greg fowler]

ok...thank you!
this weekend's task...
I have over 120K on the car..so it would probably wise to replace all 3 mounts but I'm going to start with the passenger side.
I will post progress.

 

[GapBoyPCS]

I would replace all of them, just to keep some consistency in how the mounts work together.

 

[mikeeshaq]

Same thing happened to me
Dog bone and passenger mount
2004 Focus wagon 150,000 miles!

 

[greg fowler]

Ok...front engine mount looked ok...so I removed the airbox and battery to inspect the rear engine/transmission mount....destroyed. Replaced the rear mount...still had vibration....but attentuated. Inspected the strut-torque mount...looked worn....replaced it as well...a little better but still not gone. So I am replacing the front passenger mount this afternoon. I looks ok but I'm thinking since it is a called a hydraulic mount, external appearances may be deceiving...and good practice to replace all 3 anyway.
Thanks for the help guys......update this evening.

 

[Zoomer69]

Did you replace the mounts with stock, or aftermarket?

Many aftermarket mounts are designed to be stiffer, intended as "performance" replacements for the originals. As a result they may not completely dissipate the vibration like stock ones will. The upside is that with "performance" mounts the engine flops around a lot less under hard acceleration.

 

[greg fowler]

Runs like a champ again...replaced all 3 mounts. I unfortunately had to buy the dreaded aftermarket mount due to having to replace them on New Year's Day. However, lifetime warranty on all 3 mounts and they were all relatively easy to replace...and only $109 for all 3....so, we will see. I wanted to buy Ford parts but schedule would not allow.
BTW...do not trust visual inspection alone for the front/passenger mount...this is why I didn't replace it first. After I replaced the rear and strut/torque mounts...and still had vibration I knew there had to be something wrong with the front mount. As soon as pulled the front mount off I could see where it had breached and all the hydraulic fluid had leaked out. That is the key...the front mount is 'hydraulic'...it might look fine...but it probably ain't.
Anyway...sorry for the long winded reply...but thanks for all the advice!

 

[Zoomer69]

Glad that it worked out. Hopefully the new mounts last you quite a while.

 

[GFdrivesafocus]

Hey guys, so my 2000 focus has had all the problems indicative of a failing motor mount(s). I have replaced all three and vibrations have not ceased. The vibrations affect the car to a greater or lesser degree depending on factors such as acceleration and engine temp (worse in the mornings). Dog bone appeared to be in good shape, however the passenger side, as well as trans mount were significantly worn and were between a quarter and a half an inch shorter than their replacements. Additionally, there is now a quiet knocking that can be attributed to some part of the passenger side motor mount. I suspect this to be related to a defective replacement part.

I was wondering what the exact torque ratings for the load bearing bolts found on the tranny and passenger side mounts were? And also what other factors / failing parts could be connected to the vibrations the car is experiencing?

Thanks!

 

[Liquid_02_ZX3]

Just a stab in the dark, its not junk in your glove box rattling. The only rattle on my car is the **** in my glovebox.

 

[GFdrivesafocus]

No, nothing like that. This rattle is coming right from the area around the passenger mount. It's a brand new one I bought from Autozone. When i push down gently on the valve cover, i notice the rattle gets louder and if i lift the engine with my hands just a little bit, it goes away. Definately related to the passenger side mount, but there is no way it's too loose.

 

[Zoomer69]

It could well be faulty.