Check engine light... EG Valve?

[vixenkittenv8]

I have a 95 4.6l tbird, and my check engine light came on two days ago. I took advantage of the autozone free diagnostic service (what took them 2 minutes costs 65 bux elsewhere????) and the code read "excessive eg valve flow". what does this mean, and how did i break it, if anyone knows. how much does it cost to fix? thanks!

[Racincc85]

The EG valve (more commonly called the EGR valve) is the Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve. It is mounted on the intake manifold and has a tube that runs from it to the exhaust system. At a certain engine speed, the computer sends power to the solenoids in the valve and opens it, letting a metered amount of exhaust gas into the intake and thus into the cumbustion chamber. The the idea behind this system is that unburnt fuel in the exhaust will get recirculated back into the engine and burned, lowering emissions. The excessive EG flow code means that the valve is stuck open all the time and is constantly letting exhaust gas into the combustion chamber. This could be caused by faulty solenoidsin the valve or at worst could be a computer problem. I would start by getting the Haynes manual for your vehicle so you can locate and remove the valve. The manual will also have instructions for testing the valve. Give the bottom a good cleaning ( a piece of carbon could be holding one of the solenoids open) and follow the manual's instructions on how to test it. If it checks out, put it back on and you should be good to go. If the valve turns out to be bad, it'll cost $100-$200 to replace (they're expensive little fuckers). Good Luck!!