GMC Repair: EGR VALVE 95 GMC JIMMY????, vacuum controller, electric vacuum

Question
I HAVE A 95 GMC JIMMY.  IT IDLES ROUGH AND RUNS ROUGH.  SOMETIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND SOMETIMES IT DOESNT.I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND THEY PUT A SCREEN TO BLOCK THE CARBON FROM THE EGR VALVE.  I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW EGR VAVLE WITH ESTIMATES OF $500-$800.  HOW DO I KNOW FOR SURE THAT THE EGR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED?  COULD SOMETHING ELSE BE CAUSING IT? AS YOU CAN TELL BY THE ESTIMATES I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM NOT SPENDING MONEY THAT I DONT HAVE. THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME.

Answer
THEY PUT A SCREEN TO BLOCK THE CARBON FROM THE EGR VALVE ??????. That's One I have not heard of in a long time. Sounds like someone does not know how to properly TEST and or CLEAN the EGR valve and is GUESSING as to the cause.


In over 25 years I don't think I have replaced more than a handful of faulty EGR valves. Usually just a good cleaning and testing of the valve with a hand held vacuum pump is all that is required.

However, IF your particular EGR valve has the electric/vacuum CONTROLLER mounted on TOP of the EGR it IS possible that the CONTROLLER and or EGR IS faulty. However, TESTING should be done BEFORE ANYTHING is REPLACED.

EXACTLY what code(s) were you getting ?.

If you have the ability to take and e-mail pictures of your EGR valve set-up, As I would like to see what TYPE of EGR you have, I can give you some simple test procedures to do to determine IF it is a faulty EGR valve and or EGR controller.

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