design fault?, re engine mounting bolts???

[no-fear]

Hi all,

I've just sheered off my 3rd engine mounting bolt within the last 10 months it's getting to be a right pain in the a*s*. Last bolt I had fitted I had made up and was supposedly 1.5 times stronger than the original.
Definately not knocked it on any speed humps, and OK, it's running a little more torque than standard, but can't imagine it's anywhere near some of the LCR's on here.

So... anyone know of a design fault?
or any way of stregthening the chassis to gearbox mounting?
anyone else having the same trouble?

Please Help

 

[no-fear]

bump

 

[no-fear]

ahem.... bump

 

[no-fear]

hmmm... just phoned Seat, no desighn fault that they are aware of.....

 

[Saul]

ive not heard of that before, sounds like something is definately not right

how many miles on the car?

 

[no-fear]

Hi Saul, I was starting to think I was talking to myself

It's done 33,000 now, had about 20,000 when the first bolt snapped....

 

[Saul]

very odd, you had the car from new?

whos refitting the bolts to the car? the dealer?

 

[no-fear]

no, had the car from about 18,000 miles.
first bolt was replaced by a small local garage, 2nd was by a local garage that has there own rally / race cars, they had a stronger bolt made up for me, that was about 3 - 4 months ago.
All Seat guy thought as a possibility was that the engine wasn't quite lined up right, he did question the torque it's running but as I said there are far quicker Leons not having this problem...

 

[Dodson]

Not wanting to upset you but are you sure the car hasnt had a bump?

Cold be ever so slightly bent,hence causing more stress than normal on that particular bolt.?

 

[millzeee]

have you uprated you engine mounts(dog bone mount especially), as standard they take a pounding especially when the traction control cuts in.

 

[no-fear]

are you meaning bent/twisted chassis?
not had a bump as far as I am aware, previous owner was member on here and other forums, no mention of one anywhere...

 

[Dodson]

I was wondering that yes.

It would be very hard to tell then.

Milzeee - the only thing i would say about that is,you shouldnt have to uprate the mount,think of all the other people in the country who own Leons,they wont upgrade them,so in my eyes it is a fault somewhere in the car.

 

[no-fear]

would agree with that, but the new bolts go in easy enough, no prizing of the engine, I have it booked in for Monday, will ask they loosen all engine mount bolts and reseat ensuring it's central (as suggested by Seat)
also ask to look for any signs of a bent chassis, they are going to look at trying to fabricate another stronger method for the mount..

 

[Dodson]

Let us no how you get on mate good luck!

 

[no-fear]

will do, cheers m8y

 

[ibizacupra]

do you have a dog bone bush kit on the lower one?

std lower bush (on chipped cars ) will help reduce torque reaction on the 2 side mounts.

Not 100% sure on the side mounts whether there are any compliance voids which can be "filled" to reduce the slack in the mounts... sometimes helps on other applications.

 

[no-fear]

as far as I know Bill all the mounts are standard at the moment.

 

[no-fear]

do you have a dog bone bush kit on the lower one?

std lower bush (on chipped cars ) will help reduce torque reaction on the 2 side mounts.

Not 100% sure on the side mounts whether there are any compliance voids which can be "filled" to reduce the slack in the mounts... sometimes helps on other applications.

I will also mention this to the garage on Monday and ask they look into it.

Many Thanks

 

[Saul]

all my thoughts have been asked/answered now

torque on the bolts could be another thing, ask the dealer for the correct torque settings for the bolt in question

 

[no-fear]

will do, thanks again everybody