I have an 03 Accord EX (4 cyl) automatic (72,000 miles) and have noticed a vibration when at a stop light. It goes away when I shift into neutral. I'm confident it's the motor mounts and the delear called to confirm my thoght this afternoon. To me $475 seems expensive to change two motor mounts, but I've never had to have this done before. Does this sound like a reasonable price? Is this something that can easily be tackled by an average DIYer? Would this be covered under Honda's extended warranties?

Thanks

 

I have the '03 EX 4cyl also, with 77K miles. Pretty close to yours, I guess.

I get the "slight vibration" that you speak of also. I can't offer a solution, but someone once told me it is caused by "winter" gasoline. I have no scientific data to give to you, but I was told that the winter change in formula will cause the engine to feel different.

Anybody heard this, too, or have another idea?

LVP in Cincinnati

 

A vacuum leak on the rear mount will cause vibration at idle. The rear mount on automatics is vacuum controlled to deal with vibrations from the engine being under load at idle (due to the torque converter). Looking into the rear mount and the vacuum lines is a good start. The other mounts shouldnt need replacing unless you can visually see theyre blown out.

 

Did the dealer find the rear motor mount non-functional or broken? This is an expensive mount and difficult to access so $475 sounds about right.

I wouldn't want to change based on observation that "there's vibration at idle so rear mount must be bad". This is simply replacing parts atyour expense. I would be clear you expect a fix if this repair is done, and will hold them to fixing the vibration at their expense if mount doesn't remedy the problem.

Attached link has nice pictures of front motor mount replacement which cured idle vibration on Acura 2.3CL of same vintage. Easy to inspect the front mount w/ a mirror and light.

http://cl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=689195

good luck

 

For the $475, the dealer changed the front mount and installed a "engine idle smoothing kit". I've searched the internet and apparently there was a TSB issued in 2004 regarding the engine mounts. There was never a recall, but Honda knows it's a problem. I've read that if you discuss with service you may get a "good faith" agreement which can reduce the cost or eliminate the charge, but the extended warranties have not been covering the full repairs. I can't say I understand it all, but oh well.

I had the mount and kit performed and the engine is as smooth as the day I got it. No doubt this was the right fix. Apparently, the liquid vacuum motor mounts are starting to become typical wear items on Hondas.....anywhere from 50,000 miles to 150,000 miles.

I probably could have changed the front mount and installed the kit myself (based on the TSB directions), but time is money and it was worth the extra $100 or so, not to have to spend half a day or more fighting this repair in my driveway.

 

I have a 98 EX 4 cyl. and I used to have a broken front motor mount. I replaced it but I now have a different vibration.... It looks like it comes from the pulleys. Does a mis-alligned belt cause that??? Im thinking of taking it in to a shop and having them check it out... That aint cool.

I dont know about the winter gas thing. It has only started since I changed the broken motor mount but I always pump 91 octane... Should I buy a booster?

 

A bent pulley could cause some vibration, but nothing like an engine mount.

My front engine mount is welded to the block... I kind broke all three bolt heads on it.

Why do you pump premium gas in a car that doesnt require it? You are just burning extra money. High octane fuel is required for high compression engines, because the fuel/air charge tends to spontaneously combust (aka detonation or knock) easier at higher pressures. 86,87,89 or whatever is lowest is a-okay.

 

For the vacuum-operated mounts...
Beginning in '03, (4-cyl) the vacuum-opearted mount is the front one. So... jp98's broken mount is not the fancy one.
Bnavarre's bad front mount would have been the vacuum-operated one.