Chevrolet Repair: P1406, chevron fuel, radiator fluid

Question
Hi Tom,

I own a 1996 Saturn SL1, 4 cyl. Auto Trans. Back in June I replaced the EGR valve after replacing the spark plugs, spark plug cables, fuel filter, pcv valve, oil+filter, transmission oil+filter, and radiator fluid. Just less than 2 hrs ago my car started hesistating while on a busy street. It felt like it was about to die on me. Service engine light came on. I turned around, came back home, hooked up my code scanner which read P1406. I went online and learned that P1406 means "EGR valve pintle position circuit". Especially, since I just replaced the EGR valve+gasket just about 60 days ago! Btw, I also put enough Lucas' fuel system cleaner solution in the gas tank 3 wks ago, immediately after putting a Chevron fuel injector cleaner solution in my gas tank. Despite all of the tune-up and clean-up, I end up with a EGR valve problem!! What happened? What's going on? Please advice. Thanks a million!

Answer
HI SAM,, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. REMOVE THE EGR VALVE AND CK TO SEE IF THERE IS A SMALL PIECE OF CARBON STUCK IN THE PINTLE VALVE HOLDING THE EGR VALVE OPEN. IF THIS HAPPENS CAR WILL IDLE VERY POORLY AND MAY STALL. YOU SEE WHEN YOU CLEANED OUT THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER YOU LOOSEND UP SOME CARBON WHICH MORE THEN LIKELY GOT STUCK IN THE EGR VALVE.. JUST RMOVE THE PIECE OF CARBON AND IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN YOU CAN BUT A PIECE OF SCREEN THAT THEY MAKE FOR THESE EGR VALVE PROBLEMS. [NO A REGULAR PIECE OF HOSE SCREEN WILL NOT WORK,,SORRY]..HOPE THIS HELPS YOU,,,TOM...