Okay, time for me to jump into the forums! I have a 1993 98 Regency Elite with just over 187,000 miles on it and it is finally starting to show its age... the transmission mounts are definitely getting loose, front and rear... We did the whole "put it in gear and hold the brakes while pressing the gas" test and the engine definitely moves up and down quite a bit (depending on whether you are in drive or reverse)... it moves more in one direction than the other, but I can't remember which. I really love my car and would like to keep it on the road for a while longer, so I'm looking for advice... do I let my crazy army mechanic friend help me tackle this project or do I turn it over to someone with a little more experience on non-military vehicles? Anyone done this before or have any information they are willing to share? I know this needs to be done, especially considering the fact that I'm now using the car to tow my fun little jet ski. Thanks in advance!

-Carl

Hi Ilovemy98, hello everyone,


That would be normal. Unless some kind of abuse is involved, they should, easily, last the life of the car.


Not helpful.


Yes, I suggest someone who knows if a mount needs to be replaced, or not.

Regards, Norm

You should note that these engines move around a lot, it wasn't until the late 90s when they had the idea to install front dog bone mounts to keep the engine from rocking back and forth.

One of the main reasons they did that was because of space constraints.


TOC Admin
Brando

Thanks, I should have included that "minor" detail.

Norm

Edit: That "minor" detail, is only one of many bits and pieces I've learned during my stay at TOC.

First, thanks so much for your quick help. The big thing that worries me, which in my ignorance (I'm sorry!) I forgot to mention is that I can actually feel the engine move (almost like a hesitation) as I take off from a stop unless I absolutely feather the gas, which I've taken to doing because I'd rather not have the engine fall out. I know that is incredibly extreme and would probably never happen, but you get the point. I can't vouch for the first 167,000 miles, but I've tried to be as gentle as possible to the car, with the obvious exception of towing a 600 pound jet ski (only a few times). The transmission shifts smoothly once the car is moving, but the movement of the engine is disconcerting enough that I'd like to take care of the problem (or have it taken care of). I'm definitely not a mechanic, as you well know, but as I re-read my post, I realize how moronic I sounded and I apologize. Thanks for your patience. I think I'll just take Norm's advice and pass this on to somebody who knows what he's doing. I'll try to do a better job on my next post! Thanks again,
Carl

If you were, would you be asking for help on the internet?


Never apologize for not knowing what you have not learned yet.


Except for your unnecessary apologies, it's one of the better opening posts I've seen here.

A statement of the perceived problem, along with as much relevant information as one has, is enough to get a dialog started. Questions and answers will always be part of that discussion, and hopefully, the ensuing process will lead to a resolution of the problem. It's the only way it can work.

Norm

Time for an update: 6,000 miles later, the 98 is in the shop getting new mounts... I'll let you all know how it comes out!

-Carl

I wish you best of luck. Hope it goes well. Keep us updated!

Good luck with it let us know how it goes for you.

Thanks guys! I'm really hoping to get it back tonight or tomorrow... I've gotta head up home to MI this weekend and I REALLY don't want to spend the gas money on the van!

-Carl

Just got her back from the shop and took her for a drive! The engine no longer moves around in the engine bay when I hit the gas! She also got new sway bar links, which made the car handle quite a bit better (After this many miles, it's no surprise to me that little suspension pieces are breaking). Anyway, three transmission mounts, two sway bar links, 6 spark plugs (it was time), an oil change (also time) and about 700 bucks later, I have a happy Oldsmobile again! Now it's time to hunt down that exhaust leak.... too bad I don't have anywhere to work on stuff down here at school, this probably would have been a lot cheaper! Ahh well, at least this way it was done right the first time. Thanks for all the support!

-Carl

good to hear you got it all figured out now. glad to hear it.