Vibration @ Idle - Diagnosis & Price Sanity Check Needed

[scruffytj]

Long time lurker, first time poster here.

My 2015 Explorer Limited V6 (non-turbo 77k miles) noticeably vibrates in the cabin at idle and has been for the past year or so, such as when stopped at a stop light. The RPMs do not noticeably change while idling. However, when I press the gas and start moving, the vibration goes away. I took it to the dealer and they said that the vibration wasn't terrible, but if I wanted, they would change out the motor mounts. This is the same dealer that when replacing my water pump (@76k miles just outside my extended warranty period...thanks Ford for that), didn't put back one of the intake manifold bolts and broke another. Also the same dealer that forgot to tighten the bolts on the new front brake pads/rotors they installed, leaving me with a loud jangling noise and possible safety issues till I took it back to have it fixed again.

Thus, I'd like to know what the people of this great forum think about the issue. I've searched around these parts and have done the electronic idle control reset recommended to no avail. Do motor mounts seem to be a likely cause of this issue? Given the aforementioned issues with the dealer, I'm not inclined to 1) trust their judgment, or 2) pay them a bit over $1,000 to change out the motor mounts. Not to mention, my mechanically uninformed opinion that $300 for parts and $700 for labor seems pretty steep to change 3 mounts, but I'm not sure there either.

I much appreciate your replies in advance. One of these days I'll find a trustworthy independent mechanic...

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

Long time lurker, first time poster here.

My 2015 Explorer Limited V6 (non-turbo 77k miles) noticeably vibrates in the cabin at idle and has been for the past year or so, such as when stopped at a stop light. The RPMs do not noticeably change while idling. However, when I press the gas and start moving, the vibration goes away. I took it to the dealer and they said that the vibration wasn't terrible, but if I wanted, they would change out the motor mounts. This is the same dealer that when replacing my water pump (@76k miles just outside my extended warranty period...thanks Ford for that), didn't put back one of the intake manifold bolts and broke another. Also the same dealer that forgot to tighten the bolts on the new front brake pads/rotors they installed, leaving me with a loud jangling noise and possible safety issues till I took it back to have it fixed again.

Thus, I'd like to know what the people of this great forum think about the issue. I've searched around these parts and have done the electronic idle control reset recommended to no avail. Do motor mounts seem to be a likely cause of this issue? Given the aforementioned issues with the dealer, I'm not inclined to 1) trust their judgment, or 2) pay them a bit over $1,000 to change out the motor mounts. Not to mention, my mechanically uninformed opinion that $300 for parts and $700 for labor seems pretty steep to change 3 mounts, but I'm not sure there either.

I much appreciate your replies in advance. One of these days I'll find a trustworthy independent mechanic...

Find an independent to put the motor mounts in. Thats crazy high. Had 2 out of three replaced and labor wasn't bad. Don't recall.

 

[peterk9]

Long time lurker, first time poster here. ...........................................................

Thus, I'd like to know what the people of this great forum think about the issue. I've searched around these parts and have done the electronic idle control reset recommended to no avail. Do motor mounts seem to be a likely cause of this issue? Given the aforementioned issues with the dealer, I'm not inclined to 1) trust their judgment, or 2) pay them a bit over $1,000 to change out the motor mounts. Not to mention, my mechanically uninformed opinion that $300 for parts and $700 for labor seems pretty steep to change 3 mounts, but I'm not sure there either.

I much appreciate your replies in advance. One of these days I'll find a trustworthy independent mechanic...

Welcome to the Forum.
If I'm looking at the right part, the mount itself is $73.75 here; https://parts.autonationfordwhitebe...3-5l-v6-gas/engine--engine-and-trans-mounting Regular price shown is $111.72 so $300 for 3 mounts is reasonable if they use the Ford site pricing https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/engine/other-engine-parts/bracket-engine-front-support-8681353-1

Peter

 

[Mbrooks420]

Why would you consider going to a dealer for motor mounts when they can’t do a simple brake job? Sounds like a poor life choice.

 

[scruffytj]

Why would you consider going to a dealer for motor mounts when they can’t do a simple brake job? Sounds like a poor life choice.

That's why I'm questioning their diagnosis of the motor mounts. I actually took it there to have them put in bolts for the intake manifold that were missing and broken. I thought the vibration may have something to do with that but they said it was motor mounts. Am hoping someone else has experienced the symptoms my Explorer has and can provide some thoughts as to cause.

Thanks for all the input so far!

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

That's why I'm questioning their diagnosis of the motor mounts. I actually took it there to have them put in bolts for the intake manifold that were missing and broken. I thought the vibration may have something to do with that but they said it was motor mounts. Am hoping someone else has experienced the symptoms my Explorer has and can provide some thoughts as to cause.

Thanks for all the input so far!

Get a second opinion.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Are these motor mounts hydraulic? Are they weeping? I’d certainly take it elsewhere. Most likely not at a dealer.

 

[ecoboost_xsport]

Wow, yeah this is such an easy job...here's a post and a vid I made when I did the solid trans mount upgrade. But the process is the same if just replacing OEM ones. You'll be done in 30 minutes.

ecoboost_xsport consolidated build/maintenance thread



As for the other 2 motor mounts up top. I don't have a vid yet, but they are relatively easy to install as well.