96 Concorde EGR problem

The check engine light came on, so I took the car to the dealer and they told me it had a bad EGR valve. The quote they gave me seemed kinda high...I thought I might like to try this myself. Anyone have any advice?

ALSO: There is a strong smell of gas under the hood and inside the car. I can't find a leak anywhere. Can this be realted to the EGR valve problem?

Thanks!

It can be related from what i understand, because it will keep the car from firing properly(dumps too much exaust back into the intake). I'm not sure what's wrong with yours, but if it's just sticking, I've seen suggestions that cleaning it with carb/choke cleaner will help.

It could be the EGR Solenoid/Sensor has gone bad, If the engine is a 3.5 it is located on the passenger side rear of the engine, it has a couple of vacuum hoses connected to it and a wiring harness connector. Not sure on the location on a 3.3 or if it even has one. The sad thing is to replace it you have to purchase the EGR Valve and the sensor as a unit, they are not sold separately and only through the dealer. Look to spend over 100 for the part. If the EGR Valve is still good you can just swap the sensor and the problem will go away but if the EGR Valve is bad then it will need replaced too and of course the new sensor comes with it. The EGR Valve on a 3.5 is bolted on the back of the passenger side Cylinder Head and again not sure on a 3.3' valve location.

Thanks to both of you for the info!

I was wondering if you changed out the egr valve. I am evaluating my egr valve on a 96 concord 3.5 and am curious as how the back pressure pipe is ported into the head? I connected a pressure gage to the egr back pressure outlet with the thought that I could also evaluate back pressure through the catalitic converter. I get no reading and am wondering if the back pressure port is blocked?

I was wondering if you changed out the egr valve. I am evaluating my egr valve on a 96 concord 3.5 and am curious as how the back pressure pipe is ported into the head? I connected a pressure gage to the egr back pressure outlet with the thought that I could also evaluate back pressure through the catalitic converter. I get no reading and am wondering if the back pressure port is blocked?

Sorry, I gave up and took it to the dealer....

the back pressure port can be used to check exhaust back pressure just use an low pressure gauge and plug into back pressure port and snap throttle to wot rapidly should not exceed 1.5psi

Thanks for the info.