1981 Mazda RX7 12a: Coasting Valve
 

I started my RX7 a few weeks back and this odd sound started coming from the engine, sounds like a jar of bees and my engine idled badly and the exhaust chugged. I found the source of the noise, it was coming from inside the air cleaner. When I opened it up, I put my finger on the hole that is right beside the idle compensator, the noise stopped and my car idled beautifully. I took it to a Mazda dealer and had an older gentleman look at it. He said that my coasting valve was done, the pin would not move what so ever, it was stuck fully out, it wouldn't go back in at all. He also said that to get rid of the sound and restore the proper idle, I would need to replace it, and I could do it myself.

I found the part I need but currently working toward purchasing it. In the meantime, can I plug the hole in the air cleaner (that the vacuum hose runs to the coasting valve) temporarily and still drive it with no problems, or will it hurt my engine/ intake manifold if I was to do this? I just want to temporarily fix it until I can get the part.

Please help!