How to Change Your Engine Mounts

Do you feel an abnormal engine vibration? Is there rubber dust around the engine mounts? Those are both tell-tale signs of possible engine mount wear or imminent failure. If you have a few basic tools and a DIY-skillset, then you can learn to safely replace the engine mounts yourself, as long as you are able to access your engine without being a contortionist.

By
Marc Robic
-
Published: Updated:
2
The engine mounts on my Perkins M20 diesel needed to be changed. Luckily, they are accessible so I was able to change them myself with a few basic tools and new parts. If your engine is less accessible, you'll need to ask a professional to change the mounts. (Photo/ Marc Robic)
The engine mounts on my Perkins M20 diesel needed to be changed. Luckily, they are accessible so I was able to change them myself with a few basic tools and new parts. If your engine is less accessible, you'll need to ask a professional to change the mounts. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

It is always discomforting when you know, and actually feel, that something is not quite right. For a little while now, while navigating under power, I felt some “new” vibrations that simply did not feel right. Putting the boat safely on autopilot, I went down into the cabin, opened up the rear engine cowl and realized it was the propeller shaft that seemed to be the origin of the vibration. It was either caused by poor shaft alignment which turned out not to be the case—or something else was causing this issue.

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How to Change Your Engine Mounts
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Marc Robic
Marc Robic
Marc caught his love of sailing and all things water from his father from a very young age. He has owned many sailboats in his 40+ years of sailing. An avid do-it-yourselfer and handyman, he builds, modifies, improves and executes all his own repairs. He also enjoys testing, documenting & sharing products and how-to methods with other sailors and boaters. Posting many how to videos on his YouTube channel and Facebook page. He is a member of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron. Currently, he sails his Catalina 270, Aquaholic 3, out of the Ile-Perrot Yacht Club in Montreal, where Marc spent 16 years as Harbour Master. He is also a regular bareboat yacht charterer, having sailed most of the Caribbean islands. In the winter months, Marc regularly hand builds exact scale models of friends’ boats to give them away in the spring.
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2 COMMENTS

  2. Hello Chris, I’m sorry you don’t like my videos. I am simply a sailor and DIYer and like sharing my experiences with others. Hopefully you can at least appreciate the information being shared.

    Best wishes and fair winds always!