How to check engine mounts

how do I go about checking if my engine mounts are fine and not knackered ?

I've looked on the net and can't find any ways to test / check them. Somebody did mention about putting a pencil between a gap ( or something like that ), can somebody clarify please ?

Thanks

Grab hold of your engine standing at the side of your car and shake it like f**k, if it moves about a lot then they need changing, if it doesn't then are they fine or are you not shaking it hard enough? nobody will know?

Am I likely to break anything if I shake the **** out of it, like old pipes etc

No, they’ll be fine

i've seen the following a while ago on other forum : "The trick with these mountings is to look up from underneath at the hole in the bottom of the mount . If you can see rubber pushed up hard against the hole, then the mount has collapsed. The new one I fitted is about 10 to 12 mm further up inside". and i can say that it's spot on

A

sierrafery said:

i've seen the following a while ago on other forum : "The trick with these mountings is to look up from underneath at the hole in the bottom of the mount . If you can see rubber pushed up hard against the hole, then the mount has collapsed. The new one I fitted is about 10 to 12 mm further up inside". and i can say that it's spot on

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Am I able to see the mounts easily from underneath and where are they positioned

yes you can, they are fixed to the chassis abeam the springs

Ok thanks for that. If the rubber is flat against the open hole does this mean they need replacing immediately

Yes, they are fitted where the arrows are pointing(the front ones) the rear ones are like blocks of rubber

So is it only the front ones that need checking

You need to check all of them, even the gearbox mounts but i knew the trick only for the front ones

How would I go about checking the others