2
3
4 
5
6
7 
Engine Mount crack on the Stratus Subaru EA-81
Today, 6/1/02, I was installing my repaired (welded) alternator bracket and I thought it would be wise to do a close inspection of the entire engine compartment. I pulled the bottom cowl and on my first pass I did not notice anything unusual. On my second pass, I found a crack on the upper right engine mount bracket. The entire bracket had not cracked through and it was a bit difficult to see without a close inspection. See photos 1,2 and 3
Photos 4, 5 and 6 were taken on 6/2/02 after removing the mount from the engine. It is a bit of work getting the powder coating off. It took a combination of heat (propane torch), wire brush and muscle. I found out today by looking through the Zenith list archives that Don Walker had what appears to be the same failure on the same mount earlier this year!!!
Photos 7, 8 and 9 were taken 6/4/02 after getting the mount back from the welder. He repaired the crack, added a doubler to reinforce crack area and extended the gusset to reinforce where the crack originally occurred. I stripped the powder coat off, zinc chromated and painted it blue with regular spray enamel to help see any possible future cracks more easily. Photos 10 and 11 are the completed, repaired, reinforced and painted mount.
Another item I found cracked was the penny washer that goes against the rubber motor mount (see the washer in photo3). The washers on all four motor mounts were deformed and starting to crack. I replaced them with thicker steel fender washers. The ones supplied were thin (.055"). Photo 12 shows the deformed washers (they should be flat) and 13 shows one that was starting to crack. Photo 14 shows my new thick (painted blue) washers.
On 8/17/02 I found another crack in the upper starboard motor mount (see photo 15 below). Engine was at 150.4 hours. I have since had it welded and am flying again. I inspect ALL mounts after each flight as a precaution.
Click on each thumbnail picture below to view a larger image and then use your back button to return to this page.
1 2
3
4 5 6
7
8 
9 
10
11
12 
13
14
15