The exhaust gas recirculation valve, or EGR valve, works by sending a portion of the engine emissions back through the intake manifold, thereby lowering the final level of hazardous emissions. A car might experience trouble accelerating or stuttering with an improperly-operating EGR valve. On a 2000 Toyota Camry, most novice mechanics can clean or replace the valve in a few minutes. The instructions differ depending upon the engine size within the vehicle.
Unplug the vacuum hose from the EGR valve, located near the center of the firewall.
Unscrew the EGR valve mounting bolts with a socket wrench. Pull the valve from the intake manifold.
Inspect the valve for a heavy amount of carbon deposits. Clean the valve with a small rag if necessary or replace the valve.
Set the valve against the intake manifold, using a new gasket between the valve and the intake manifold. Install the mounting bolts with a socket wrench.
Plug the vacuum hose into the EGR valve.
Raise the front of the vehicle with a hydraulic jack. Set jack stands under the frame rails on the front of the car to secure it while changing or cleaning the EGR valve.
Unscrew the EGR valve pipe bolts, only accessible from underneath the car, with a socket wrench. The pipe travels from the EGR valve on the side of the intake manifold to the bottom of the engine block.
Detach the hose from the retaining clip on the side of the EGR valve, located near the center of the firewall, attached to the intake manifold.
Disconnect the electrical connection from the EGR valve and pull the vacuum hose from the EGR valve.
Unscrew the three EGR valve mounting bolts and pull the valve from the intake manifold.
Inspect the valve for a heavy amount of carbon deposits. Clean the valve with a small rag if necessary or replace the valve.
Set the valve against the intake manifold, using a new gasket between the valve and the intake manifold. Install the mounting bolts with a socket wrench.
Connect the electrical connection to the EGR valve and push the vacuum hose onto the EGR valve.
Attach the hose to the retaining clip on the side of the EGR valve.
Install the EGR valve pipe bolts near the bottom of the engine block with a socket wrench.
Remove the jack stands from under the car. Lower the car with the hydraulic jack.
