The inside of the EGR where it has the foamy like insert........(the manual tells you to push up on it and it moves with moderate pressure).....on both my Fieros that inner spongey part is real dirty with alot of oily gunk and stuff...but the EGR still moves fine......i didnt wanna go spraying anything in there and possibly melting/eating the foam but at least wanted to somewhat clean it.

Can the inner foam be cleaned with something without destroying it?

Can cleaning all the oily gunk out help the car run better whatsoever?..

thanx

Anthony

[This message has been edited by ForceFedFlesh (edited 12-08-2008).]

In the manual it says you can tap lightly on the bottom of the EGR valve with a hammer to remove the carbon build up. Then run a vacuum test with a vacuum pump (rent it at your auto parts store) Cleaning the EGR with sprays and solvents might damage the EGR. Usually on older GM cars the EGR last the life of the car or in my case with the Grand Am until the transmission goes out

If the EGR is shot replace it


Jim

[This message has been edited by FieroJimm (edited 12-09-2008).]

quote Originally posted by ForceFedFlesh: The inside of the EGR where it has the foamy like insert........(the manual tells you to push up on it and it moves with moderate pressure).....on both my Fieros that inner spongey part is real dirty with alot of oily gunk and stuff...but the EGR still moves fine......i didnt wanna go spraying anything in there and possibly melting/eating the foam but at least wanted to somewhat clean it. Can the inner foam be cleaned with something without destroying it? Can cleaning all the oily gunk out help the car run better whatsoever?..

No, the "foamy thing" is really a "diaphram". Basically, it's similar to what's in your brake booster. You have a vacuum line from the intake which provides suction on this diaphram. By creating this suction, it pulls the diapham inwards, which in turn opens the exhaust EGR valve. The diaphram is made of rubber. When rubber gets oily, it can, and often does, swell. Certain oils (like transmission fluid, brake fluid, etc) can cause them to stretch too which would reduce the ability for the EGR to function.

Cleaning the EGR (at least the part you're talking about) would have no noticeable effect whatsoever. The EGR isn't a performance item by any means, so you won't notice any improved performance by cleaning it. You may however, see some improvement in fuel economy by replacing it (since more of the exhaust gasses will be able to pass through easier).

If you're careful, you can remove it and clean the pintle off (that extends into the Y-pipe). The EGR tube is attached with two 10mm nuts, as is the EGR block / valve to the Y-pipe.

If it's rusty at all, I would make sure you hit those bolts with penetration oil a few days before...

What makes you want to look through the EGR? Just bored and looking for something to do on the car (been there) or are you trying to resolve a performace problem?

------------------
Todd,
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2004 Volkswagen Beetle Convt. (Wife's)
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1981 EZ-GO Xi875-A "Miami Dolphins" Medical Cart
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter
1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 350

you can soak the bottom in carb/injector cleaner , this will loosen up the crap that is liable to cause you problems.. you will see the build up on the bottom at the pintle,, the top should be cleaned with q tips get the crud of the FOAMEY thang,, you can spray it with quick start just squirt enough to clean use carefully,,The quick start dry,s very fast just be carefull an old unit any ting may destroy the rubber..
It can hurt performance if the unit remains open sending additional heat into the chamber ..
the pintle can be cleaned with a wire brush(not a real stiff one) and carb cleaner///
often all you need is a wire brush
a leaking EGR will cause a rough idle ,skipping on acceleration,,a stuck egr will cause a vacuum leak
if a car stalls and you can not find problem it may be clogged or stuck EGR
a good EGR will stall or idle will slow down if you push the foamey thang & upper unit up.....
A leaking EGR will cause a low vacuum read..
These units do require maintenence and it is easy to do, they often go 200,000 miles or more ,,a new one cost $50 to $100
it is a good idea to service this part at 100,000 mile or if there seems to be some problem ,,if you are not a motor head leave it alone unless you think it is causing a problem
if you do remove you can reuse gasket if carefull and you do not damage it ,but if you think it is old old old replace the gasket this is a long lived part but there are some failures
Keep the stock GM EGR untill certain it must travel to fiero vahalla !!

[This message has been edited by uhlanstan (edited 12-09-2008).]