1990 Accord DX 4dr Auto, am getting engine vibration at idle and especially when cold in reverse. I am approaching this as an engine mount issue. There is one on the left side, attached to the timing cover end of the engine, and one on the right, attached to the transmission. I believe these are designed to support the bulk of the drivetrain weight vertically, and allow some movement in the direction of engine torque - fore and aft. In the front of the engine compartment is another mount, called a torque arm, and I believe this to be the main support to resist the rotation of the engine about the other two mounts. Finally, there is an expensive, hydraulic, valved mount attaching the engine at the firewall. The valving is supposed to switch to improve rigidity or isolation, depending on driving condition. I believe that this mount should be unloaded to function properly.

What I think has happened is that the right and left mounts have compressed, lowering the engine, and causing the front torque arm to rotate the engine, compressing the firewall mount and preventing it from doing its job of isolation. Does this assessment seem correct to those familiar with this system? If so, it would seem an adjustment on the torque arm should allow a compensating counter-rotation of the engine to unload the firewll mount and allow it to function. Is such an adjustment feasible? Must the left and right mounts be replaced instead?

Any help appreciated.

Steve



[Modified by sbourg, 6:39 PM 2/26/2003]