Just bought an 05 MDX Touring with 175k mi. Noticing a couple of issues.
1. There is a strange sound like a hard drive grinding away from behind dash just right of center. Seems like it's related to the climate control. Similar to a coffee percolator, but not "fluid" sounding and occurs at a stop or in park whether the climate control is on or off. Sound goes away once I"m driving. The sound is intermittent and when it occurs I can shut the engine off and leave the key in the on position and it still occurs, so I ruled out air in the coolant line or anything related to the water pump.

2. When I'm driving at 35mph or more I occasionally hear a low scraping sound, but can't quite pinpoint where it's coming from. This is an intermittent sound that resembles an exhaust leak slightly mixed with a metal on metal scraping sound. I know it's not the exhaust, but just relating the sound to something familiar. The car shifts fine. Not alerts for VSA system or anything. Does seem to be related to accelerating.

Any clues as to either of these 2 issues would be greatly appreciated.

Keith

 

Hi and welcome!

1.- It could probably be the Air Mix Motor?
2.- There was a possible issue with the Intermediate shaft heat cover that might come loose and rattle?