Phoebes fixed !

How could that pass an MOT?

Yes very worrying, but I'm in Lanzarote so guess the rules don't apply here.
I could easily have had a nasty accident but luckily nothing happened.
I understand your new MOT law would have examined the discs and pads and I would have been issued with a dangerous instant failure so at least your being looked after.
Now at least my phoebe is safe and roadworthy .

Nodge68 said:

Ah I understand now. I suspect that my original thought of the engine being used to lift the vehicle is correct. This action has split the mount, causing the fluid inside to dry out disintegrate. The top part of the mount would then start to press into the lower section over a period of time. This has led to the engine having no insulation from the body, which would have been rather noisy from inside. At least it's sorted and you'll have a quite car from now on.

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What 'fluid' is in that engine mount? I ask as a long time ago I had an odd black fluid on the pressed metal rail below the upper 'anti-sway' bar & coolant tank. I couldn't identify it and haven't seen it since. I could have come from that mount as it was directly beneath it.

htr said:

What 'fluid' is in that engine mount? I ask as a long time ago I had an odd black fluid on the pressed metal rail below the upper 'anti-sway' bar & coolant tank. I couldn't identify it and haven't seen it since. I could have come from that mount as it was directly beneath it.

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Welcome back

htr said:

What 'fluid' is in that engine mount? I ask as a long time ago I had an odd black fluid on the pressed metal rail below the upper 'anti-sway' bar & coolant tank. I couldn't identify it and haven't seen it since. I could have come from that mount as it was directly beneath it.

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Hi Htr, no idea, there was no fluid at all in my mount. Recon it had leaked out or evaporated years ago.
But I recon it was black originally as there were traces of black goo inside unless they were just bits of worn out rubber.

htr said:

What 'fluid' is in that engine mount? I ask as a long time ago I had an odd black fluid on the pressed metal rail below the upper 'anti-sway' bar & coolant tank. I couldn't identify it and haven't seen it since.

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The Discovery 3 uses large diameter hydro-bushes in the front suspension. These bushes are very susceptible to bursting if a pot hole is driven over while heavy braking is done.
The fluid that comes out of the Discovery 3 hydro-bushes is a thick treacle type stuff. The rubber outer skin of bush seems to burst, allowing this treacle type stuff to drip out over time.
It's very similar in feel to normal silicone sealer used for sealing around shower trays and the like.
So I assume the liquid in the engine hydro-mount is a similar treacle material. I know nothing of its chemical makeup, or how stable the stuff is over years in the harsh environment of a car engine bay.
Some investigation needed there I feel.

When I was examining both the original and (useless) Bearmach mounts, I got the feeling they were solid. The original was very rigid, but that may be just through 19 years of aging. The Bearmach one was a lot more flexible, which may be why it got quite worn inside a few of weeks. I didn't get the feeling that either were filled with any form of liquid or goo.