Toyota Repair: EGR valve and EGRVSV..., toyota solara, day road trip

Question
1999 Toyota Solara V6.
This car has been running excellent, no problems whatsoever. We just hit 80,000 miles and decided we should change the timing belt(advice when bought). We did have a check engine light that was on for about 3 weeks prior to this repair, but with no performance problems. Toyota dealership did the repair, Water pump and front seal were not leaking so no repair done there. They did and oil and filter change, and changed the transmission pan gasket as it was leaking. The told me the check engine light was caused by a malfunctioning EGR and EGRVSV due to carbon blockage and said it was impossible to clean. I have read that they can be cleaned, is this true?
Well, upon leaving the shop, we went on a two day road trip. The car is running horrible. There is a clicking on top of the engine, I know there are no lifters, but it sounds like lifters clicking, and only sometimes, intermittent. At slow acceleration, it would rattle (lifter sound) bad, but also intermittingly. Other times no problems at all. Acceleration is horrible as well. This car would get up and go, now it can barely make it up a hill without losing speed, and no passing acceleration. Once again, we had no problems at all until it came out of the shop. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
David Montgomery

Answer
What I'd like for you to do is take it back to the dealer that did the repairs and have them retreive the trouble codes from the computer, they should this at no charge since it sounds like the problem started after they worked on it, I can not be of any help if the check engine light is on without having the trouble codes, please find out and get back to me.