Worn engine mounts are a common issue on the Honda CR-V, often showing up at around 100,000 kilometres. The symptoms are familiar: vibrations at idle, knocking sounds when pulling away, and an engine that visibly moves more than normal. What many owners do not realise is that problems like these are by no means always caused by the engine itself. Read on to understand exactly what is going on, how to recognise it and what to do about it.
What do engine mounts actually do?
Engine mounts hold the engine block in place in the engine bay. They connect the engine to the body and make sure that vibrations and movement from the engine are not felt directly in the car. Without properly working mounts, everything vibrates too: the steering wheel, the dashboard and the seat.
In the Honda CR-V, engine mounts are made up of metal with a rubber core. Some versions also use hydraulic mounts. These contain fluid that provides extra damping, and they can start to leak over time. Once a mount loses its damping effect, the load on the remaining mounts increases. That speeds up wear on the rest.
Honda CR-V vibrates at idle
One of the most recognisable symptoms of worn engine mounts on the Honda CR-V is the car vibrating while idling. Owners notice this especially when the car is stationary with the engine running, particularly when the automatic transmission is in Drive or Reverse. The body then vibrates noticeably too.
This is often mistaken for an engine problem or even a gearbox problem. In practice, the engine itself is often working perfectly well. It is the mount that is no longer absorbing the vibrations. Other common symptoms are:
- Knocking sounds when pulling away, braking or changing gear
- A jolt or “pulling” movement when pressing and releasing the accelerator
- Visible excessive engine movement under load
- Vibrations that increase when the air conditioning is on
Not sure whether the cause is really the engine mounts? Ask a mechanic to carry out a proper diagnosis first. Wrong diagnoses are strikingly common when it comes to vibration complaints.
Service life of the engine mounts on the Honda CR-V
There is no fixed factory interval for replacing engine mounts. Even so, owners and mechanics report that the left engine mount on the Honda CR-V shows wear relatively early, often at around 100,000 kilometres. The rubber hardens, cracks or breaks up. On hydraulic versions, fluid leakage is a clear sign that the mount needs replacing.
More information about common complaints and problems with this model can be found on the page about Honda CR-V problems. Once one mount is worn, it is worth inspecting the other mounts at the same time. Uneven wear puts extra load on the rest, so a second or third mount can fail soon afterwards.
Left engine mount fails more often than the others
On the Honda CR-V, the left engine mount is the one that fails most often. This has to do with its position and the load it takes when accelerating. The rear engine mount is technically harder to reach, so replacing it takes more labour time and is therefore more expensive at a garage.
It is wise to have the surrounding mounts visually checked at the same time as a repair. That way, you can avoid having to go back to the garage shortly afterwards with a similar complaint.
Replacing Honda CR-V engine mounts yourself
Whether you replace the engine mounts yourself depends on two things: your technical knowledge and the tools available. It is not an easy job for beginners. The engine must be temporarily supported, for example with an engine support bar or a jack with a block of wood, before you remove the mount. If you do not do this, the engine may drop and damage nearby components.
If you still want to tackle it yourself, bear the following in mind:
- Make sure you have the correct mount for your model year and engine variant. Mounts vary by CR-V generation.
- Support the engine properly before you loosen even one bolt.
- Use a torque wrench when tightening. Mounts that are too tight or too loose can cause vibrations again.
- Take the car for a test drive after fitting. Pay attention to vibrations when starting, idling, changing gear and accelerating.
Do you have any doubts or are you missing the right tools? Then have the job done by a garage. In most cases, the cost is worth it compared with the risk of extra damage.
Visual inspection: how to check the mounts yourself
You can carry out a limited inspection yourself. Look under the bonnet or underneath the car for visible cracks in the rubber, dried-out or loose parts, or signs of fluid around hydraulic mounts. Also watch whether the engine moves clearly up and down when you apply the throttle. That is a sign that a mount is no longer doing its job properly.
A quick function test: let the engine idle and put the automatic transmission in Drive while keeping your foot on the brake. If you then feel strong vibrations through the body or steering wheel, the mounts need further investigation.
Want to know more about Honda CR-V problems?
On the Carnews website you will find much more information about common problems, maintenance tips and technical background for the Honda CR-V and other models. Discover everything a car enthusiast should know and keep your car on the road, trouble-free, for longer.
Frequently asked questions
Typical symptoms of worn engine mounts on a Honda CR-V include strong vibrations in the steering wheel, dashboard or seats, especially at idle or in D/R. You may also hear knocking or clunking noises when pulling away, braking or changing gear. In addition, you often notice jerky behaviour or an engine that feels as though it is moving with the throttle being pressed and released. Sometimes these symptoms seem like engine or gearbox problems, when in fact the cause is in the mounts.
Driving with faulty engine mounts can cause extra vibrations, knocking and jolting, which greatly reduces ride comfort. Because the engine moves more, driveshafts, exhaust parts and gearbox rubbers can be placed under greater strain and wear out or crack prematurely. Hoses, pipes and cables can also be put under tension, with a risk of leaks or faults. If the situation worsens, the alignment of the engine and drivetrain can deteriorate, which may eventually lead to larger and more expensive repairs.
Yes, you can carry out an initial check yourself, but the replacement work is usually for a mechanic. Park the car on level ground, open the bonnet and look to see whether the engine mounts (the rubber/metal parts between the engine and the body) show cracks, split or collapsed rubber, or leaking fluid (on hydraulic mounts). Ask someone to give a brief burst of throttle in D/R (with a foot on the brake) while you watch from a safe distance to see whether the engine block moves abnormally far up and down or from side to side. If you notice clear cracks, leakage or a lot of engine movement and vibrations in the steering wheel/dashboard at idle, that is a strong indication that the mounts are worn and need replacing in the workshop.
Replacing engine mounts on a Honda CR-V is in principle a job that an experienced DIY mechanic with good technical knowledge and a strong awareness of safety can carry out themselves, but it still involves work on load-bearing parts of the drivetrain and requires care. Needed items include a set of socket and ring spanners, a torque wrench, a sturdy trolley jack with axle stands or an engine support bar to safely support the engine block, and possibly extension bars and universal joints for hard-to-reach bolts. Rust penetrant, a sturdy block of wood between the jack and the engine, and good lighting are also recommended. If you are unsure about safe support or tightening to the correct torque, it is wiser to hand the job to a professional.
New engine mounts for a Honda CR-V cost on average roughly between €80 and €200 each, depending on brand (aftermarket versus original) and type of mount (rubber or hydraulic). Often you have several mounts that are dealt with together when wear is obvious, so the parts cost can quickly rise to several hundred euros in total. For labour, professional garages usually charge 1.5 to 3 hours’ work, which comes to about €150 to €350 in labour charges, depending on the hourly rate and how accessible the mounts are. All in all, if several mounts are replaced, you can expect a total of roughly €300 to well over €600, depending on the parts chosen and the garage.
