Pontiac Repair: EGR valve, grand am gt, smog control

Question
My 1997 Grand Am GT has 94,000 miles and I took it in yesterday for oil change and am questioning a little skip that I feel sometimes.  Check engine light has been on forever.   They said clogged EGR valves and will charge 200.00.    Is 94,000 pretty much the end of this cars life?   Thanks Jan

Answer
hello jan.the egr valve is nothing more than a emissions band aid.for smog control and such.all this device does is take a little exhaust from your engine and feed it back into the engine to supposedly burn off all of the fuel in the exhaust.however these get very hot from the exhaust gases and dont seem to last.last egr valve i priced was 130.00$ for a firebird v6.these are relatively easy to install.should not cost much for labor.this also means your engine should be fine.and your check engine light will go out when the part is replaced.i would get a few estimates for installation and purchase your own part.it will save you some cash.