Cicada Trapped In Fuel Distributor!

[Tobey]

Haha, got your attention! but seriously, I am tracking a rough start issue and I just finished disassembling/cleaning the WUR/CPR and did not notice any difference. However, while checking for fuel leaks I heard a buzzing coming from the fuel distributor that seemed to surge with the surging idle. Until the car is warmed up it tends to idle between normal (at least for this car) which is around 900 and then it will drop down to 100-150, struggling to stay alive for a few seconds then shoot back up to 900. While this is going on, there is a distinct buzzing, that sounds like a cicada, coming from the fuel distributor. When it is idling strong, it seems to be quiet.

I ran across an article where a guy explains quite well how to clean the FD but the interesting part is that he mentioned he was drawn to clean the FD because he heard a buzzing while tracking down other issues. He mentioned in his case the plunger or something was sticking. I don't know if this buzzing is normal or not since it is not constant so should I disassemble and clean the FD or is this normal?

Becoming intimately familiar with the Rabbit,
Tobey

[James Seahill]

Haha, got your attention! but seriously, I am tracking a rough start issue and I just finished disassembling/cleaning the WUR/CPR and did not notice any difference. However, while checking for fuel leaks I heard a buzzing coming from the fuel distributor that seemed to surge with the surging idle. Until the car is warmed up it tends to idle between normal (at least for this car) which is around 900 and then it will drop down to 100-150, struggling to stay alive for a few seconds then shoot back up to 900. While this is going on, there is a distinct buzzing, that sounds like a cicada, coming from the fuel distributor. When it is idling strong, it seems to be quiet.

I ran across an article where a guy explains quite well how to clean the FD but the interesting part is that he mentioned he was drawn to clean the FD because he heard a buzzing while tracking down other issues. He mentioned in his case the plunger or something was sticking. I don't know if this buzzing is normal or not since it is not constant so should I disassemble and clean the FD or is this normal?

Becoming intimately familiar with the Rabbit,
Tobey

If you have a vacuum leak, it will be hard to keep your engine idling at normal
RPM once it warms up. I would check for leaks in hoses from the cravalve cover to distributor, vacuum hoses connected to the intake manifold and throttle body, and the duct work from the throttle body to the fuel distributor. It sounds as if your auxilirary air regulator is working or your idle wouldn't drop. The O-ring on the idle speed adjustment screw in the back of the throttle body might be shot and you could lose vacuum there too. Vacuum from the engine lifts the sensor plate at the fuel distributor and allows fuel to the injectors from the FD, if the system is tight. The control plunger of the fuel distributor is activated by the sensor plate. I hope this helps.