EGR valve issues.

[Popeye316]

Hey guys. I am glad I found this forum.
My wife just got a 1994 Buick Lesabre. It's a really comfortable car. I never owned a Buick, but it runs like a bigger car. Nice, heavy, and safe feeling.
Anyway, the check engine light kept coming on, so I got the codes checked on it and the mechanic told me it's the EGR valve. He said he reset the code, as they sometimes come on but it might be nothing. He said if it comes on again, then it's the EGR valve.
It came back on today.
So, I was wondering, can the EGR valve be removed and cleaned rather then replaced? I have a Chevy Astro and those can more often then not just be cleaned of carbon keeping the valve open. Is this the case with the one on the 94 Lesabre? Also, as I am a total newb to Buicks, where on the engine is it?
Thanks in advance.

 

[stormnBuick]

EGR valves are cheap. Just throw a new one on.

 

[Cadillac_AL]

EGR valves are cheap. Just throw a new one on.

They used to be cheap until '94 lol. I got soaked $180 for mine but I have seen them cheaper since then. My car actually jerked and bucked when the EGR was bad. It's been a while since I was in there but there may be an EGR tube or two going to the throttle body area that could be carboned up too. I would do a vacuum check just to be sure there isn't some other issue that could affect the EGR system.

 

[2000 LESABRE]

I used to clean mine on a 2002 mustang but after awhile it would throw a code again try some electronic cleaner first

 

[stormnBuick]

I know they were cheap on my 92 Regal. Haven't changed it yet on the 03 Lesabre. What did they do to make them cost $180?

 

[Merkava_4]

Haven't changed it yet on the 03 Lesabre.

Your '03 uses an electric solenoid operated EGR Valve; not vacuum operated.

 

[planenut_2000]

I'm a GM tech with 20 yrs experiance.
Try taking the valve off, turning it upside down and use Hoppe's gun cleaner solvent to dissolve the carbon, by filling the inside of the valve and letting it soak overnight.
This has worked many times for me on customers cars.

 

[ISellAvon]

Great advice guys, thanks. I need to make a correction to Popeye's post. I am his wife and my Buick is actually a 1997. He keeps saying it's 94 for some reason.

 

[imidazol97]

I'm a GM tech with 20 yrs experiance.
Try taking the valve off, turning it upside down and use Hoppe's gun cleaner solvent to dissolve the carbon, by filling the inside of the valve and letting it soak overnight.
This has worked many times for me on customers cars.

I believe the service manual warns about not getting solvents up into the electrical parts that operate the valve. So please be careful about how you get solvent into the thing.