Mk1 2002 Octavia RS:

OK, bit of a dumb question maybe but if I grab hold of my engine and shake it; how much movement should I get?

I've got a dull knocking noise coming from the front end. It happens when one or other front wheels hits a bump at lowish speed. Doesn't happen during acceleration, braking or cornering. I was wondering if I had an engine mount problem.

If I grab the engine it is very hard to move it at all. On my old Mondeo & the wifes 206 the engine moves really easily.

What set me on to engine mounts was the fact that something just doesn't look right about the engine but I could be imagining things :confused:. I have measured the height of the top of the oil cap to the bottom of a straight edge running from the slam panel to the rubber bonnet strip. It's 60mm (see pic).

Any comments?

Edit: Got to add; car is still smooth to drive apart from occasional knocking. No excess vibration etc.

If the noise happens for instance going over speed bumps, then I would check the ARB and bushes first. Also from searching older threads it seems that the lower radiator brackets can also allow movement and cause a similar noise. My rad moves about 5mm at the bottom and despite me not being able to hear any noise from it I think I'm gonna make a bracket up from ally flatbar and brace it a bit more.

But yep check your ARBs mate.

Doubt it's the engine mounts to be honest, probably wishbone bushes, droplinks or ARB bushes.

Your engine looks fine, they all sit at that angle so don't worry.

On another note, clean your engine bay man! Mine looked like yours up until recently, but the last time I washed the car I popped the bonnet and got the hose in there with lots of suds and a microfibre mitt, cleaned up a treat.

Agree with above, they all look like they are leaning to the O/S, and because your not getting any knocking noise during acceleration/deceleration it wont be your engine mounts.

Its not unheard of for 1.8t engine mountings to fail, and in particular the O/S mounting, which usually "lets go" big style, somtimes when its been refitted after cam belt replacement etc.

HTH

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll jack it up & have a look on my next days off. I replaced both front springs in June (1200 miles ago). Wonder if it's related. :confused:

On another note, clean your engine bay man!

Yes; I know. The interior is filthy as well. I usually keep it spotless but I'm a bit snowed under at the mo'. I guess it's gonna have to stay dirty until I sort out the knocking now!