Chevrolet Repair: Gas Odor, egr valve, vaccumm

Question
Brian,
I took it to a tech and he said the code said the light was on because of the EGR. He cleared the code, light was off for 3 days, then came back on. That was about a mounth ago or approx. 1500 miles ago. What do you think? Am I causing damage? I also don't even know what the EGR looks like. Is it at the front of the manifold? Can it be cleaned or should I replace it?-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
My 2001 Tahoe (5.3 Vortec) sometimes gives off a gas smell when running. Can't find any leaks. Service Engine Soon light is on.
Could it be the EGR valve, or something else?

Thanks
Answer -
could be but a freind of mine vehicle had a canister with a filter that held partial burned fumes and then recycled them with the engine to burn them off more cleanly or efficently.  he had a gas odor and he replace the fileter and no more gas smell. could be thats your prob, or could be that the engine isnt burning off the gas properly. how long has the engine light been on? and have yopu takin it to a garage to see if they can find out what wrong with it?

Answer
yes they can be replaced. now if im think of the right valve it is bell shaped and stick up or to the side on most engines. has one vaccumm hose leading to it. and yes it can be cleaned up a bit but only so much. i would get a new one then you would know what to look for, then take the old one off and the see if cleaning would be good or just replace it. there is a gasket that goes with it. make sure you get that thing. i would replace it mine on my cavailer cost around $75 but the car ran consideralbly better. keep me posted.