Can anyone tell me what I need to do to clean the EGR valve in my truck? I haven't messed with it yet. Kinda just wondering if I should clean it or put a new one on.

 

they normally get dirty. rip er off. grab a can of brake cleaner and a toothbrush. the "piston" inside (you will see it) you can push it in and out etc. spray it down with cleaner. push it in and scrub it,out etc and clean the square upper part too...make it look pretty and clean. And stab it back on with a gasket. Done. Saved ya $20-$75

 

That's exactly the info I was looking for. Thank you. Am I going to have to get a new gasket?

 

Never mind that last question. I should know better than that

 

Make sure you get the gasket with the screen.

 

I was having EGR code few months ago whenever I go cruising on highway, so I took it out and cleaned it (wasn't much dirty anyway), put it back, and still had the same problem, until lately I started having a kind of rough idle. I tried pushing the EGR open by pressing the diaphragm back with the engine running, as I know it should cause the engine to stall or at least sputter, but nothing happens even if I push it all the way back open. Could it be the holes where the EGR goes are clogged? And how should I clean these holes, is carburetor cleaner ok, or should I use electronic cleaner, or none? Or could it be the EGR solenoid module? Is there a way to test the solenoid?
And by the way, some say that the EGR should not be cleaned with carb cleaner as it might damage the diaphragm.