Motor visibly shakes when cranking at start

[ryedog]

Hello everyone, this might just be a stupid question but the paranoia is consuming.

Was double checking my cam seal plugs and half-moons on the rear of the engine today, like I do every so often since I did the repair myself. They look fine, and thats beside the point. Long story short, I thought "what the heck, have the wife start it while I look at the engine". So when she cranked it while it was turning over (like probably 1.5-2 seconds) I could see the engine "wobble" slightly side to side.

I have no codes, no misfires I can tell, exhaust smells fine and isn't ever white, and from what I can tell I am not losing coolant. When I check my overflow sometimes it looks really low but then coolant runs out of the hose and I am usually checking there after the engine has sat. Also I check at the rad when it's cold and it always looks topped off. I've put about 10,000 miles on it this last year-ish and I haven't had any engine issues I am aware of.

So, am I just crazy, manic, paranoid, all of the above? Or should I dig into it more?

:yo:

 

[jgue467]

All engines are designed to flex some for a variety of reasons. How much is the key and when it does it - like if only at startup then seems ok. If its several inches of movement then maybe not ok.

Most suspect part is motor mounts - they usually last a lifetime unless lots of oil has been coating and softening them over the years - need to inspect them to know if they're still good or not.

 

[2TH4IST]

Quick check if motor mounts are bad, start up car, put it in gear or drive. Hold the brakes firm and give it some gas. Watch if one side of motor lifts really high, probably a split motor mount.

I just did mine a few months back. They were slightly cracked for 24 plus years of driving. New ones feel exactly the same lol.

 

[ryedog]

That’s good to know from both of you! Mounts seem fine, plus no vibration at idle or while driving really. My mind can rest at was now (at least a little, I still cannot figure what is causing a random ticking in the engine bay, but that’s for a different thread)