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Fitting Powerflex Diesel (Red) engine mount insert this weekend.

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I watched the mechanic fit mine. I actually ordered the wrong part initially, the 504R, and he noticed straight away. I would 100% guarantee that the part was correctly fitted, in fact there is no way it can be installed incorrectly. My engine is the PPD and radders has the CR diesel, so different engines and yet the same issue.

  • 2 weeks later...

Update

I contacted Powerflow about my issues with the 704R, and they asked me to return the 'faulty' part. Having done so, below is an extract from Powerflow about my Engine Mount insert:

"Having done a quick material test, it would appear that the shore hardness is slightly high at around 67-68A whereas it should ideally be between 60-65A.

This will make it ever so slightly harder which may have contributed to the excessive vibration."

I have no idea what the 67-68A or 60-65A means, so I've asked for an explanation. Could it mean that there was/is an issue in the manufactoring process, as not all inserts are of the same grade/quality.

They have refunded me though, which is great.

If I get an update as to what the numbers mean I'll post again but, Radders567 this could have been the issue with yours also.

Further update.

Below is the information relating to the 67-68A and 60-65A figures:

"Shore hardness is a measurement of the resistance of a material being penetrated by a needle under a defined force.

It is determined as a number from 0 to 100 on the scale A or D.

The hardness is described by a number and the shore scale is described by a letter.

The letter A is used for flexible types and the letter D for rigid types, although the Ranges do overlap.

Our materials are made to the following shore ratings.

Red = 60-65A

Yellow = 70A

Purple = 80A

Black = 95A"

So basically the Red insert that I had fitted in my diesel was almost as hard as the Yellow insert designed for the petrol. Shame really as I was so hopeful that having one fitted would benifit my driving and the cars handling.

Update

I contacted Powerflow about my issues with the 704R, and they asked me to return the 'faulty' part. Having done so, below is an extract from Powerflow about my Engine Mount insert:

"Having done a quick material test, it would appear that the shore hardness is slightly high at around 67-68A whereas it should ideally be between 60-65A.

This will make it ever so slightly harder which may have contributed to the excessive vibration."

I have no idea what the 67-68A or 60-65A means, so I've asked for an explanation. Could it mean that there was/is an issue in the manufactoring process, as not all inserts are of the same grade/quality.

They have refunded me though, which is great.

If I get an update as to what the numbers mean I'll post again but, Radders567 this could have been the issue with yours also.

Possibly, although I am not willing to buy another one to try it out.

There are dozens of suppliers of these bush inserts and it appears results vary greatly.

 

A mate of mine had Powerflex Yellow in his petrol vRS with DSG (I think transmission type might be important) and hated it.  His driving was mainly stop/start city traffic.   I attempted to remove it for him (ex-mechanic) and was really embarrassed when I broke it into 6 pieces.

 

I I think he tried a softer diesel unit (not Powerflex) & rejected that (didn't come back to me due to demolishing the first one).  Then he fitted  a HPA replacement poly lower mount rather than an insert additional to the rubber mount.  He was pretty happy with that once slightly modified & still runs it about 2 yrs later.

 

VWR sell a replacement mount as does this mob http://www.vibra-technics.co.uk/koda/octavia_mk2_1z_04_/463/VAG520M/bottom_engine_mount_subframe_mount_20r32

 

I actually fitted some of the demolished insert into my car which made a slight difference.  I do wonder what would happen if you filled the voids with silicone sealant.

I would like to hear more reviews about the HPA mount / silicone filling. I never thought about filling it with silicone, I want something a little bit stiff but not something that vibrates my fillings out.  :clap:

Then he fitted a HPA replacement poly lower mount rather than an insert additional to the rubber mount. He was pretty happy with that once slightly modified & still runs it about 2 yrs later.

VWR sell a replacement mount as does this mob http://www.vibra-technics.co.uk/koda/octavia_mk2_1z_04_/463/VAG520M/bottom_engine_mount_subframe_mount_20r32

Sounds promising, if a little on the expensive side, compared with the inserts. How easy is it to remove the Lower Engine Mount and replace with this modified one, anyone know?

I would like to hear more reviews about the HPA mount / silicone filling. I never thought about filling it with silicone, I want something a little bit stiff but not something that vibrates my fillings out.  :clap:

I get the feeling the silicone wouldn't be hard enough to make a difference.  I also think that constantly flexing / working it would cause it to crumble.  It's not a hard one to try - just pump th esilicone into the void & maybe put a 70mm washer underneath to provide some support.

 

If you read the threads, HPA mount was slightly modified to make it perfect.  To give you an idea of the guy's commute, it would be similar traffic to driving from the Library at Kings Cross  /St Pancras to the London Eye during peak hour.

 

It's not a hard job to change the bush if you've got a reasonable workshop.  Three bolts.  Press out the old bush & press in the new one.  If you have to ask then it's probably too difficult.  That's why the inserts are so popular - they are an easy install.

 

One reason some people might experience more vibrations than others is a variance in the condition of the OEM mount.  If the OEM mount is a bit tired the insert might be bring movement back to factory fresh.

 

HPA mount is expensive.  Maybe look at Awesome GTI - they have a few alternatives that might suit

One sign of a worn OEM mount is how easy or difficult the Insert went in. I used no grease or force it just slipped in. The vibrations at low speed and in reverse are teeth shattering. When I mentioned this to C&R Enterprises they suggested the OEM mount was worn to excess. Have not got round to reviewing or changing anything. It's a good thing I do 95% motorway miles.

Would be good to hear who has changed the OEM mounts in the subframe as I never found a post on the forum for a mk2. Plenty of dogbone swaps as they are easy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited by gav_is_con

  • 2 years later...

Wow this thread is disheartening. I bought one and have yet to fit it.  I got the yellow one for my TSI manual, and now I'm thinking about just selling it on!

 

Are they really this harsh?! :(

Bump.  Just after some more opinions of the yellow insert for the 2.0 TSI. I was well looking forward to fitting it thinking it would make acceleration and gear changes a lot smoother, as well as reducing vibrations on idle.  Sadly, it seems that it is suitable for this unless people come forward and say they're happy with it?

  • 1 year later...
On 22/12/2013 at 10:01, radders567 said:

 

Seriously - Don't do it unless you don't mind your car vibrating like the worst piece of **** you have ever driven. It was like driving round with a jack hammer in the boot, I had to turn the radio up really loud just to even hear it.

 

I am waiting for an answer from the bloke I bought it from, if he won't take it back I will sell you mine.

 

On 18/10/2014 at 20:42, radders567 said:

Sorry to hear you had pretty much the same experience as me - the company I bought it from said they have never had any complaints and it was just me. They also asked me if I had fitted it right and were there any other problems such as worn engine mounts. Of course I have fitted it right and yes I had checked the engine mounts. I also had to have a dental check up because that red insert nearly rattled my fillings out. LOL  :D

Radders I’m not sure what you done wrong with this but if you apply plenty of grease onto the insert it will come back out in one piece. I actually have a red and yellow one which have both been fitted and took back out in one piece. Grab the rubber with large vice grips and it does pull out in one piece.  Takes a lot of pressure but it comes back out slowly.  You also mentioned that you fitted it correctly and you are a mechanic but you didn’t think to torque the bolt back up to correct setting. Without exaggeration this job can be done with one socket, ratchet and torque wrench. If doing on the ground a spare bottle jack or any jack to help push rubber into the void. I found just changing the push in bush on dogbone without insert works well. I’ve also got the power flex gearbox mount too and vibration is minimal now. I agree when insert is in there is a lot of vibration when engine below 1100rpm but the difference when actually driving is phenomenal. Gear changes are quicker and smoother and car just feels a lot more responsive. Disconnect dogbone and check for excessive play on gearbox mount this might help you. 

  • 3 years later...

Has anyone tried the lower engine mount insert from 034Motorsport?  Is it any better than the Powerflex PU one?

 

https://www.awesomegti.com/034-motorsport/034motorsport-billet-aluminium-transmission-mount-insert-09-13/#product-reviews

 

I've just fitted the 704R (yes, it is definitely the red one!) and share the same experience as @radders567 and others here - the vibrations transmitted into the cabin are unacceptable for road use, especially in reverse.  I think I could live with it for a while, but my other half, who drives the car a fair bit, would not.  I'm also not sure how long the car will stay in one piece for!

 

Appreciate any feedback.

I fitted the red Powerflex dog bone mount a good number of years ago and I personally do not believe that the vibration is beyond acceptable?
 

Yes, it has slightly increased the vibration but not to levels that make me wanna swap it out. 

4 hours ago, jars said:

I fitted the red Powerflex dog bone mount a good number of years ago and I personally do not believe that the vibration is beyond acceptable?
 

Yes, it has slightly increased the vibration but not to levels that make me wanna swap it out. 

I think people's levels of acceptability vary. I think I could put up with it, too, but I don't think the other half will. The level vibration, however, is definitely more than slight or marginal. 

 

My original mount is pretty shot and I was getting a very noticeable squeek in and outside the car when it was loaded by the torque of the engine. I used the Powerlex insert as a quick and inexpensive fix, really, for the time being, since I've just spent a bucket load on new suspension and bushes all round, and I needed the car on the road. 

 

I really like the positive feel, responsive and traction the Powerflex insert provides, but the NVH is considerable. Hence, I'd be interested in finding a 'better' insert or full mount that gives the best of both worlds. 

 

I've bought new stock mount parts and will fit those anyway. Cheers

Edited by mrhappy
Added info

16 hours ago, mrhappy said:

My original mount is pretty shot and I was getting a very noticeable squeek in and outside the car when it was loaded by the torque of the engine.
I really like the positive feel, responsive and traction the Powerflex insert provides, but the NVH is considerable.
Hence, I'd be interested in finding a 'better' insert or full mount that gives the best of both worlds. 

I've bought new stock mount parts and will fit those anyway.

Any pictures ?
Wife has an ( 2012 ) Octavia-II SCOUT 1.8 TSI ( 6-speed manual ) and it also have a very noticeable squeek in and outside the car when starting/shifting in 1'st or 2'nd gear.

1 hour ago, 2stroke said:

Any pictures ?
Wife has an ( 2012 ) Octavia-II SCOUT 1.8 TSI ( 6-speed manual ) and it also have a very noticeable squeek in and outside the car when starting/shifting in 1'st or 2'nd gear.

 

20220402_095410.jpg

I've had the yellow in my TSi and took it out as on a hot day with the AC on it made the car rattle like mad. Wasn't terrible but for the price I thought I'd try the red diesel one. It's much better.

9 hours ago, DC04R said:

I've had the Yellow in my TSI and took it out as on a hot day with the AC on it made the car rattle like mad.
Wasn't terrible but for the price I thought I'd try the Red Diesel one.
It's much better.

What is this Yellow or Red you are talking about ?
Do you have a website link ?
 

On 25/04/2022 at 22:12, mrhappy said:

I think people's levels of acceptability vary. I think I could put up with it, too, but I don't think the other half will.
The level vibration, however, is definitely more than slight or marginal. 


My original mount is pretty shot and I was getting a very noticeable squeek in and outside the car when it was loaded by the torque of the engine.
 

I really like the positive feel, responsive and traction the Powerflex insert provides, but the NVH is considerable.
Hence, I'd be interested in finding a 'better' insert or full mount that gives the best of both worlds. 

 

I've bought new stock mount parts and will fit those anyway.

It seems to be 2 different bushings that can be replaced in the dog bone....
Which one should I change, the small or the large or both ?

I would also definitely prefer a solid bushing instead of some kind of insert.


https://www.vibra-technics.co.uk/skoda/octavia_mk2_1z_04_13/666/VAG455B/torque_link_dogbone_bush_small_end

Does any of the more performance-oriented models have better/stronger dogbone bushings ?
Audi TT
Scirocco
Golf GTI
Leon Cupra
Octavia VRS

Edited by 2stroke

Powerflex colour code their inserts in terms of Shore hardness rating.  Yellow and red are road-spec grades for petrol and diesel engines respectively.  Red being the softest because diesels vibrate more.

 

Here's a link: https://www.powerflex.co.uk/product-details/Lower+Engine+Mount+Insert+(Large)+Petrol-Tuned+Diesel/1915.html

 

The small one is at the front of the 'dog bone' and is a solid rubber bush which is much less prone to wear than the large rear one.  The rear mount is split in two parts and has voids which  provide compliance and isolation of NVH from the car body.

 

I don't believe there is a stock performance version of the mount, so Octavia vRS/Leon Cupra/Golf GTI will be the same as standard models .  I have a diesel vRS.

 

I'm interested in the Vibra Technics mount myself, but it's a lot more expensive.  It has a rubber bush which will be better damped than polyurethane but is solid, so I'm not sure how it will compares for NVH.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise,_vibration,_and_harshness

 

This one. It's just £25 from Awesome Gti/Ebay etc. Best to get a replacement bolt from Skoda/VW too as they're stretch bolts.

 

20220314_183418.thumb.jpg.afcbb14bf799df6fcd8dd6cf695066e3.jpg

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