EGR Cleaning

So I've noticed that my mpg has gone down, as well as an increase amount of oil consumption (more than normal). Then today, my 98' Rodeo wouldn't start on the 1st crank, but would around the 3rd crank, and continued to do that after being stopped for a while (30-60min). Reading the forums, I'm gonna try cleaning the EGR vlv/piping to see if this helps at all. Reading the documentation that people have written, some suggest after removing the valve to plug the exhaust port, start the engine, then spary into the vacuum port. Others have suggested just spraying into both exhaust/vacuum ports (about a full can) without starting the engine and letting it sit for a while (30-40min) to dry. My question is which is the better method, starting or not starting the engine while cleaning? Also, any other suggestions on what may be the problem as far as low mpg/not starting on 1st crank? Thanks,

Ben

A REALLY stubborn/clogged EGR tube might require you to run the truck to suck in the intake cleaner. For the bunch I've cleaned, I do it with the truck off (key out). I like to hold the throttle plate open & see/verify that the gunk is flushing out of the exit pipe. You can stuff a rag in there to catch the drippings if you like. Otherwise it dumps into the common chamber, which is stays pretty ugly/dirty anyway. The only way to clean the inside of the common chamber would be to pull it, and simple-green it or run it thru a parts washer.
G/luck
Joel

So I got done cleaning the EGR vlv/ppg. The vlv was pretty dirty, so was the ppg. I decided to go with the "no engine on" method. It had a hard time starting at first, but once it did, I drove it around for about 20min, then stopped. I'm still having the same type of problem, were it won't start on the first crank though. Does it take a while for the problem to resolve if it is the EGR, or does it usually fix it right away? Any other suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Ben