Can EGR vale be cleaned, how do you know its totaly shot..?

[vanluvin]

Hello all, I'm new round these parts but delighted to have found this forum !!

I've got an 04 K12 diesel van that has an EGR with a bit of trouble, namely spewing out grey smoke and stalling and jerking on acceleration and ascending gears, its in the garage now. However I don't think they are too familiar with this make or model, a new EGR willl set me back a whooping €300...so anyone know if it can be cleaned/ fixed or what are the cardinal signes that its well and truely ######ed...beyond rescue, bear in mind I'm am not a mechanic so if you can explain like I'm a 3 yr old that would be great fwn
any help or suggestions from the micra massif would be brill , thanks !

 

[Hugh]

I cleaned the EGR on my Avensis Diesel.

Removed the EGR from car, brushed out what carbon I could and then cleaned the rest out with Carb/ Injector Cleaner and turps.

Think I'd use my ultrasonic cleaner now if I'd have to do it again.

 

[vanluvin]

Thanks Hugh , mechanic did that, it was fine for a couple of days then, started sticking as bad as ever.. Any suggestions, are these things available second hand, or is it wise to just buy new altogether..?

 

[Warpa]

I just blocked off the egr with blanking plates on my Navara, drives a hell of a lot better!