1989 Buick LeSabre EGR Valve: Delete or not?

Superslug360 · Feb 22, 2025

Hey all, I have a 1989 Buick LeSabre with 184,000 miles on it, it sat for 12 years before I bought it and I just got it running recently. (Bad fuel pump) It runs and drives decently well now, but the EGR valve is toasted and it looks like it melted part of the plastic engine cover. From what I've read it seems like a common issue. It has the digital EGR valve, and I haven't had any luck finding a used one.
My question is: Has anyone deleted the EGR on one of these before? Would it work, or just cause more issues? I'd rather not buy a new EGR valve, since a new one costs about half as much as I paid for the whole car.
Thanks for your input!

BuickGirlFromMars · Feb 22, 2025

Superslug360 said:
Hey all, I have a 1989 Buick LeSabre with 184,000 miles on it, it sat for 12 years before I bought it and I just got it running recently. (Bad fuel pump) It runs and drives decently well now, but the EGR valve is toasted and it looks like it melted part of the plastic engine cover. From what I've read it seems like a common issue. It has the digital EGR valve, and I haven't had any luck finding a used one.
My question is: Has anyone deleted the EGR on one of these before? Would it work, or just cause more issues? I'd rather not buy a new EGR valve, since a new one costs about half as much as I paid for the whole car.
Thanks for your input!

They make new egr valve. If you’d like I can see what the condition of the one on my old 1990 Oldsmobile. Is. To be clear you have a ln3 3800 not a lg3 3.8?

And the valve is needed for proper power and operation especially with your non electronic transmission

You’ll experience less HP and chugged/harshness in cruise and 4th gear without it

02LTD2.0 · Feb 22, 2025

BGFM to the rescue. Bravo!!!😉

Superslug360 · Feb 23, 2025

BuickGirlFromMars said:
They make new egr valve. If you’d like I can see what the condition of the one on my old 1990 Oldsmobile. Is. To be clear you have a ln3 3800 not a lg3 3.8?

And the valve is needed for proper power and operation especially with your non electronic transmission

You’ll experience less HP and chugged/harshness in cruise and 4th gear without it

Thanks for the tip! I figured it would be better to leave it in. Typically, removing them seems to cause more issues than it solves. I believe it is the ln3 3800. How often do these fail? I was thinking about paying a visit to the local pull and save and seeing if I can find a serviceable replacement, if the used ones aren't burnt too.

BuickGirlFromMars · Feb 23, 2025

Superslug360 said:
Thanks for the tip! I figured it would be better to leave it in. Typically, removing them seems to cause more issues than it solves. I believe it is the ln3 3800. How often do these fail? I was thinking about paying a visit to the local pull and save and seeing if I can find a serviceable replacement, if the used ones aren't burnt too.

They usually last a long time.
The valve design is relatively unchanged through at least series 2 3800, but the compatible valves are not the many (Differences in electrical)