| Canmdx |
Has anyone else experienced excessive noice from their front air deflector?
I had the dealer install the Acura air deflector for my SS MDX when I bought the vehicle. I actually like the way it looks and after a few long trips, it appears to be doing what it's supposed to (my main goal was to prevent paint chips on the hood) - :)
I have found though, that the front air deflector has created a whistling sound even at low speeds (30 mph). This occurs when heading into the wind, although wind speed does not have to be great to create a fairly high pitched whistling sound. The whistling goes away at highway speeds (or at least it can't be heard over the expected wind rush at 60+ MPH).
In general, I don't find the wind noise on the MDX to be excessive for this type of vehicle. But, I do find the added noise from the deflector to be annoying. I've proven to myself that it is the deflector causing the problem by driving in the same wind conditions with and without the deflector (at 40 mph) - there is absolutely no noise with the deflector removed.
I guess I have a couple options - remove the deflector (best do it now before any paint fading makes it obvious it was there) and treat it as a lesson learned or try to convince the dealer that the warranty on the accessory should cover excessive wind noise and have them fix the problem (possibly get a refund on the deflector). |
|
|
| wmquan |
| Your's is the first post I recall on wind noise from the front air deflector. Did you take a look to see if it's installed correctly? Do you have the instructions for it so you can compare? If not, I think www.hondacuraworld.com may have the instructions on it if you look it up. |
|
|
| Canmdx |
Thanks for the reply.
Yes, since the dealer did the install, I assumed it was done correctly, but I agree, I should verify that.
I checked http://www.hondacuraworld.com/frame.html and they don't include the front air deflector in the list of instructions (possibly not popular enough). It would have been nice to see a picture of a proper install.
The install looks o.k., but I can see a few spots where the seal may not be perfect and a wind whistle could be created. I'm coming up on my 6000km maintenance, so I'll have the dealer take a look when I've got it in.
Thanks. |
|
|
| wmquan |
Could you help him out by posting the instructions for the front air deflector, or by your opinion on his potentially loose seals?
If you can't, I can scan the instructions later this week and upload them. |
|
|
| hondacuraworld |
If someone has a fax machine available and would like to scan them in, I'd be glad to send them off. I'd do so myself, but I can't seem to find the power cord to the scanner that we have here :(
Ever since I started shipping the FormFit ones, I haven't sold a single OEM one. Anyone interested? :) |
|
|
| wmquan |
| If no one obliges, I can try scanning it into my desktop scanner later tonight. |
|
|
| Naimdxer |
I've got the same problem. Dealer is fixing it as I speak.
Really pissed me off because this past weekend, I went on a road trip to Jasper and the deflector satred to whistle. I decided I was going to drown it out with the stereo, only to find that my sub rattles - even at low volume. ( also being fixed right now)
Needless to say, a very "noisy" road trip
Let you know how it turns out.
:mad: |
|
|
| Canmdx |
Hi Tim - if you can fax them to me, I have no problem scanning them in (and will repost the results). My fax number is 306-790-5070. I'm interested to see whether my installation was done correctly.
Naimdxer - I'ld be very interested to hear how your dealer corrects the problem with your whistling air deflector - please let us know. I haven't had a chance to take my MDX in yet (it's annoying, but not bad enough for a special trip - I should have it in in a week or two). |
|
|
| wmquan |
| Hmm probably better if Tim scan send you the fax. I scanned all four pages but am having trouble getting good scan results with a relatively low file size. The fax will probably look better. |
|
|
| hondacuraworld |
| I'll fax it to you this morning.....BTW, those of you who have the Acura deflector, what color MDX do you have, and how does it look? We'd love to see pics....I don't think there's a single pic on this site of the Acura one. |
|
|
| Canmdx |
Hi Tim - thanks for the Air Deflector Install instructions. It pointed out something that was missed during the dealer install (not necessarily the problem, but worth pointing out next time I'm in).
I tried scanning the instructions in case anyone else needed them, but the image was too large to post (even compressed) - it looks like we're limited to a little over 100k.
Anyway, I will post some pics of my SS MDX with the Air Deflector, in case anyone wants a look: |
|
|
| Canmdx |
| One more.....I'ld appreciate opions either way on what you think.. |
|
|
| wmquan |
| Yep, that's why I didn't post the instructions earlier; hard to get them under 100k for upload :( |
|
|
| Naimdxer |
As mentioned my dealer was fixing the air deflector earlier in the week.
Basically it looks like the reinstalled it. However the noise is still there ( about 70-80% reduced)
Anyway I can get a copy of the install directions?
Will be going to the hardware store in the morning to find some weather stripping to fix it myself. |
|
|
| AtlantaMDX |
| Just curious. How difficult is it to wash the hood with the deflector in place? How easy is it to remove? |
|
|
| Canmdx |
Hi Naimdxer,
Your profile indicates you have both the hood deflector and nose mask. Wouldn't the two accessories be mutually exclusive, or am I misunderstanding what you mean by hood deflector (see my photos earlier)?
If you would like to send me your e-mail address, I can send you the instructions for the hood deflector install.
Thanks. |
|
|
| Canmdx |
Hi AtlantaMDX,
I've found that you can pretty much reach under the hood air deflector with your hand in order to clean underneath. I suppose that may be one of the criticisms as well, because it does sit quite high off the hood.
I've also removed it to clean tough spots (and try to diagnose a wind whistle) and that is also quite easy (only a couple screws - so just a couple minutes to take it off). |
|
|
| wmquan |
| Naimdxer, Tim (Hondacuraworld) can probably fax you the install instructions if you contact him. |
|
|
| Naimdxer |
Just for the benefit of those wondering,
I do have both the Nose gaurd and the nose mask and they both can be put on simultaneously. This is because the nosemask is in two pieces and the the portion that would cover the hood is left off in place of the Plastic nose gaurd.
I'll send pics as soon as I get around to it. |
|
|
| Canmdx |
| Naimdxer - install instructions have been e-mailed to you. I think they should be readable as the scan came through o.k. but let me know if not. |
|
|
| Canmdx |
I had the MDX in for it's 6000km service (oil/filter due to harsh conditions) today. While I was in, I asked the Service Manager about the wind noise from the hood air deflector and what they could do about it.
I told him the noise occurred at relatively slow speeds and was quite noticeable. They took it for a drive and agreed that there was definitely noise coming from the deflector. In his opinion the seal was not sufficient at the front of the deflector and was allowing wind to come through.
Being an Acura accessory he said he expected better. He mentioned he had seen similar problems with several after market hood deflectors but thought Acura's design would have fit better (he felt the install was done correctly - they even tried moving it around but couldn't eliminate the wind noise).
Bottom line, they removed the hood deflector and refunded me the full purchase price. I was quite happy with the customer service, other dealers would definitely not have made it this easy (re-stocking fees and all that crap). Although, I suppose this fell under warranty coverage.
So, I'm back to having no wind noise, but no protection from stone chips (my original goal). I see three options - the Acura nose mask (a pain to remove for washing), a process I've heard of where they apply a transparent material on the hood for protection (can't think of the name), or possibly a better fitting aftermarket hood deflector.
Any opinions? |
|
|
| alo |
I highly recommend the aftermarket air deflector from Tim @ hondacuraworld. I've had it for more than 3 months, no additional wind noise whatsoever. Really easy to install and remove.
alo |
|
|
| Canmdx |
| Took a look at Hondacuraworld and saw the Air Deflector you mentioned for $95. Is that the FormFit deflector or the Acura deflector? I also spotted the Nose Mask for $110. The benefit of the bra may be the added protection for the lower part of the front end. May have to flip a coin on this one. |
|
|
| alo |
It's the Form-Fit deflector
alo |
|
|
| octavian |
| Just put on the Form Fit from Tim. Perfect...easy to install...15 minutes.....less obtrusive than the Acura stock deflector. No wind noise. Looks especially great on a Black X. |
|
|
| 4mel |
First.. I have the FormFit deflector, and it fits very well. Absolutely no whistle... took about 20 minutes to install. (Of course I took 15 to read over the instructions twice, and count all the pieces!)
Congrats again to Tim... a terrific product, better than Acura's from the posts I've seen. Great service too.. the first deflector arrived cracked, and Tim promptly replaced it. That seems to be the biggest problem - shipping a long, narrow, and relatively thin piece of material that doesn't take much stress to crack.
Oh yes, it looks great too on a Granite Green X...
01 GG, nav, all weather mats, wood, hitch, hood deflector... |
|
|
| mcclendons |
If someone can e-mail me the install instructions, I can try and shrink them to under 100K. Key is putting them in JPEG format for web use (not sure if anyone has tried). Scanners often use GIF, and creat huge files.
McClendons2@home.com |
|
|
|
