I believe my EGR valve is bad. I am having symptoms of a bad one. If I unplugged it and took my car for a drive would the symptoms improve, if in fact it is a bad EGR valve?
To give you a good answer what kind of car is this? Make and model. There are two different types of EGR mechanical and electrical. What are the symptom that lead you to believe its the egr valve? And no unplugging it would no improve while leaving it disconnect and driving on it.
there are testing procedures that can be found in any car repair manual. the simplest are the vacuum operated ones. the electrically operated ones are a little more difficult to test, but can be done
dont unplug it... itll throw up a fault on the computer... ive got a volvo v70, my EGR valve is playing up... so, i just crimped the rubber hose... it runs perfectly..
Most it could go either way depending upon the failure mode (stuck open, stuck closed, leaking, etc). I use a hand operated vacuum pump ($20 at most car parts stores). Connect it and see if you can draw a vacuum and if it holds the vacuum That will tell you if the diaphragm is okay. Also check the valve seat itself to see if it seals properly when closed. EGR valves run about $20-$50 depending upon car. Also, just because the EGR valve isn't working does not mean the valve is bad. You could have a faulty or disconnected vacuum line preventing the valve from operating. That was my problem in stead of replacing the EGR valve and the catalytic converter as recommended by an Emission Repair Station located just outside the state emission test station. The repair station is no longer in business.
