Acura TL Motor Mount Replacement Cost [DIY & Pro Install]

The Acura TL range of cars is known to be reliable, but they also occasionally tend to have some of their parts needing to be serviced and replaced. 

One of these parts is the Acura TL motor mount. Motor mounts, if correctly installed, will last for up to 7 years. However, it is important to have them regularly checked when your vehicle is being serviced. 

The Acura TL has 3 motor mounts, a front, rear, and side mount. The three mounts tend to suffer different levels of wear and tear due to their positioning. 

This means you will rarely need to change all three at the same time. However, it is important to note that damage to one mount results in more pressure being placed on the other two mounts.

On average, the cost to replace a single-engine mount on the Acura TL is about $350. This is the average cost of the combined cost of parts and labor. The average cost of the parts is about $180 while the average cost of labor is about $240.

However, it’s important to note that the actual prices vary wildly. The cost of the parts ranges from $60 to $300 while that for labor will range from $90 to $400 depending on the amount of work required for the replacement. 

What is a Motor Mount?

 A car’s chassis is the mainframe to which many vital car components are connected. One of the main parts connected to the chassis is the car’s engine.

A motor or engine mount is the component that is used to secure the engine firmly to the chassis. A motor mount in good condition and well-installed prevents the engine from moving or shaking when you are driving.

Several designs of motor mounts exist on the market from different manufacturers.

However, the basic design of the mounts is a block of rubber that is mounted on a steel bracket.

Other popular designs include a hydraulic mount made from rubber and metal. The mounts are then bolted into the frame of the chassis to reduce the movement of the engine while also supporting its weight.

The motor mount also absorbs any shock to the engine when driving on roads with potholes or over bumps on the road.

Causes of Damaged and Worn Motor Mounts on the Acura TL

Improper Mount Installations

Improperly installed motor mounts may soon become loose, and these can result in damage to the engine. Therefore, it is advisable to let a professional handle the installation of motor mounts.

The tools used for this type of installation aren’t among what many people will have lying around in their home garages.

Wear and Tear Overtime

The motor mounts are mainly made of rubber and metal. These two are prone to damage caused by both the weather and friction from constant use.

Although the motor mounts can last up to 7 years, it is important to have them checked regularly for wear and tear during your routine servicing of the car. This can help identify faults early, which helps with expensive repairs in the future.

Involvement in Accidents

In case you are involved in an accident, however minor, it is important to have your motor mounts. The sudden jerking that occurs during an accident can result in the loosening of the motor mounts.

Loose mounts can be replaced or repaired after an accident, and this will prevent further damage to both the mounts and the engine.

Fluid Leaks

Leakage of fluids such as engine oil can lead to softening of the motor mount rubber, making it prone to breakage and damage.

It is therefore important to check for leaks during your regular servicing to ensure that they are not weakening the motor mount.

How much will it Cost to Replace the Motor Mount on the Acura TL?

The replacement process for the motor mounts is delicate as it requires the lifting of the engine. This is the main reason that the cost of labor can be very high.

It is therefore advisable to engage the service of a well-equipped garage that has the tools to safely lift the engine without any damage to it.

When it comes to minimizing the cost of labor, try getting different quotations from several repair shops.

This way, you can compare the services offered among the quotes received and choose the one that gives you value for your money.

However, it is also important to confirm that the repair shop you choose has the right tools to perform the delicate procedures that are part of the motor mount replacement process.

Cost of Secondary Motor Mounts for the Acura TL

Whether intending to hire a professional or do the installations yourself, selecting the best motor mount model is essential. Some of the brands that produce motor mounts for the Acura TL include Beck/Arnley and Anchor.

Below is a comparison of some of the motor mounts that are available for purchase on the market:

What Factors Affect the Cost of Replacing a Motor Mount on the Acura TL?

Labor hours

The replacement process for a motor mount on any Acura TL model is straightforward. The main complication, however, is accessing the motor mounts that need to be replaced or repaired.

This process is both time-consuming and highly dependent on the skills of the repair technician.

Many technicians will include charges for all these procedures in the final tally and this is what will see the price for this type of replacement to go high.

Some of the procedures that might be billed include engine lifting and reinstallation.

Repair to other components

Motor mounts are not replaced in time, resulting in damage to other components and parts of the engine.

These components might also need to be replaced at the same time as the motor mount and this can significantly increase the price of the repair process.

Symptoms of a Bad Motor Mount

Increased Vibrations

During the starting of your car, do you feel the car vibrating more than usual? This could be a sign that the motor mount on your car may be worn out and in need of replacing.

The motor mount provides stability to the engine and therefore any damage to it will result in vibrations to the engine. A worn-out motor mount loses its anti-vibration properties with time, thus causing the car to vibrate more.

The vibrations will also lead to the engine being louder than normal and this, in turn, causes damage to the engine.

This can become dangerous over time and it is therefore important to have your motor mounts checked if you notice this in your car.

The vibrations are sometimes more pronounced on the passenger side of the car. This means that they may only notice the vibrations when pointed out by the person occupying the passenger seat.

 Jumpy Start

A loose or damaged motor mount may result in there being a noticeable lurch when the car is started. This is caused by the engine vibrating excessively as it is not properly held in place.

The lurching may reduce to a steady vibration as described above. The lurch may also be very noticeable when turning off the car.

The lurch results in the motor mount completely breaking off. The engine bounced after this, moving right and left as you accelerate and decelerate.

The engine will also move up and down in rough driving terrain or when driving over bumps on the road.

Broken Engine Parts

The instability and vibration of the engine due to a damaged motor mount will lead to breaking and damage to the fragile engine components. Hoses and belts in the engine are especially prone to damage when the engine is vibrating and moving around.

Misaligned Engine

A faulty motor mount will mean that your engine is not held in place correctly. This will result in your engine moving from its proper alignment and leaning to one side.

The misalignment will result in damage to many parts of the engine, especially any that may be leaning on other engine parts.

A misaligned engine can lead to your car being accident-prone and it is therefore important to have your motor mounts regularly checked.

Benefits of Replacing the Acura TL Motor Mounts

Reduced engine damage. Replacing your motor mounts will ensure that damage to the delicate parts of your engine is significantly reduced..

In the long term, this will help you save money as well as increase the life of both your engine and the car.

Improved performance. The effects of a damaged motor mount could be the reason why your car is not performing at its best.

A misaligned engine could cause wear and tear to some of the engine parts and will result in the car not performing well in certain situations.

Damage to the engine hoses and belts could also result in leakages and loss of energy in the car, resulting in poor performance of the car.

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Conclusion

Regardless of the quality of your motor mounts, they will require to be replaced at some point due to wear and tear over time.

Not replacing your motor mounts at the right time will result in the engine mount breaking when the car is running and the resulting damage to other components can be hazardous to you and other road users.

It is therefore important to have them checked regularly and replaced when they should avoid the potential implications.