Chrysler Repair: 97 chrysler concorde: egr fault code, side exhaust manifold, egr valve

Question
engine light came on and auto zone code is the egr valve.
where is it located and what is the function. could it be blocked and if so with what. the engine still runs fine
thanks

Answer
Hi Ray,
The egr valve could be stuck closed which means that the engine will run fine, but the amount of nitrogen oxide that it puts out will be more than necessary, thus causing unnecessary smog. It it located along a small pipe that runs from the right side exhaust manifold back to the air intake maifold at the rear of the engine. It has a vacuum operated solenoid on its top. So check that vacuum line to be sure it is attached and not cracked. If that seems ok then the issue is probably that the valve is gummed up which you can possibly correct by spraying the valve stem where it enters the valve body with pentrating fluid like WD-40 and working the stem back and forth using the tip of a screwdriver inserted in the slot of the valve stem. So look for the egr, find the flange between the round top and the body of the valve, in the flange see the rod (stem). Spray the stem with WD-40 where it enters the valve. Note the slot in the stem and work the stem back and forth to free up its motion. If that doesn't work, then remove the valve and clean its interior passageway.
Roland