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Hey guys, it's been a while. I was playing with my civic today and noticed something a bit unusual. When the hood was up and I turned on the engine I noticed the engine vibrating much more than usual. This vibration was amplified when i turned on the A/C ( the reason I was under the hood was to adjust a squeeky belt). I took some videos of the car idling with no ac and with.

I did my timing belt about 1500 miles back and everything has been solid since then. The car isn't running 'rough' enough to cause the RPMs to move, they are steady as always. I'm wondering what it could be? Bad motor mount? Valves needing adjustments? I'm not to fond of adjusting the valves. I know there is a great write up on the site, but with school and work its gonna be tough to find a day I can devote strictly to working on my car.

Here are the vids

No A/C


With


Any ideas?

 
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The valves needing adjustment won't cause it to run rough like that without hearing a lot of valve noise, so I wouldn't think that is the problem.

One or more worn motor mounts may be the culprit here. I would inspect the front lower one first, as that's usually the first to go. Jack up the car and grab a flashlight to look at it. Simple as that. It has an aluminum bracket and you'll see the rubber in it. The second one that goes is the lateral mount on the driver side next to the belts. It usually leaks, then sags.

Try inspecting those first.

 
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When i was snooping around I looked at the engine mount closest to the front of the car. It seemed fine, but I didn't really examine it because it looked in good shape. Maybe the motor mount on the right of the engine(facing the front of the car) didn't get put on correctly, or tightened to the right specs when i reinstalled it after the timing belt? I'm pretty sure I used a torque wrench and tightened the bolts to spec but it was a while ago... could it be anything other than a motor mount?

 
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front motor mount usually always goes in 10k miles. very weak. its hard to tell without removing it tho since it will look normal except one "leg" will be torn.

 
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10k is all? Holy crap. I'll have to check it out

 
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thats why i went with the ES mount inserts for that front one. it gets old replacing it all the time. just poor design on hondas part. most other hondas do not have this problem like the civic does.

 
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Agreed. I may end up doing the ES inserts next time. I'm tired of replacing that front mount. I can do it in a few minutes now though.

 
Rep Power: 811

after they break-in a few months later, it feels just like stock. but when you first put em on, the car will have some shakes at idle. nothing terrible. i would not install the rear mount inserts unless you like having a permanent vibrating chair.

 
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Installed the front mount today and the engine is practically still. The vibration in the car for now is much more pronounced, but like you said it needs to break it. The motor mount in the back looked perfect, so i let it be. Thanks guys