EGR Valve cleaning?

[Camaro Rookie]

Hey guys
I've got a '95 3.4L automatic and it's idling a little on the rough side.
First off, I put a lot of miles on it, driving from Atlanta to Indiana every weekend and back. Last weekend I felt the car jerk like it did the last time I had a coil pack die on me, so I replaced it and all was well. When I got home to Indiana, I replaced plugs, wires, all 3 coil packs just to know that all were new, and water pump. (I know the pump has nothing to do with it, just history but I checked and rechecked all connections. They all look good.
Now, I just replaced the fuel filter and it's a little better. I was reading through here and saw a lot about the EGR valve causing idle problems and was wondering how to go about pulling and cleaning it?
I do get an SES light occasionally, but am unable to pay the price the dealer is asking to pull the codes! (Yeah, tight budget. Especially after above mentioned parts.)
And, do Advance, Autozone, PepBoys, etc... have the equipment to diagnose EGR Valves?

Thanks alot!!!
Wow, that was long! lol

[89camaroperson]

Autozone does it for free. And as far as cleaning it 3m makes a throttle body cleaner that is really good. I dont know if it would do anything to the egr valve but i dont know so. See what someone else says. But i would deffinetly take it to autozone for the code reading. I cant believe a dealer would charge for something like code reading. Maybe a full diagnostic but not code reading.

[Camaro Rookie]

On the '95 AutoZone can't read the codes. It has the OBDI computer with an OBDII connector under the dash. AutoZone's reader won't talk to the computer. Hence the cost.
'Cuz yeah, I asked specifically for the cost of pulling codes and was shocked as hell when he answered me! lol

[Camaro Rookie]

And btw, when I asked if AutoZone or any other chain had the ability to check the EGR, I meant to say.. Can I pull it and take it in for them to check?

[ct91rs]

Originally Posted by Camaro Rookie

And btw, when I asked if AutoZone or any other chain had the ability to check the EGR, I meant to say.. Can I pull it and take it in for them to check?

yes, there is a vacuum test that they can do on most mechanical egr's, but not many employees know how

[Camaro Rookie]

LOL
That's nice. You don't know how do you? So I can take it in and say "Hey, this is how you do this..."
LOL

[88camaroproject]

lol!!!!!!

[88camaroproject]

oh and about cleaning egr's i dunno, they are easy to take out tho, wel at least on a 88 2.8. call auto zone and advance discount AUTO PARTS AND SEE IF (whoops caps came on) either of them have anyone there tht will give the egr a test. good luck

[Camaro Rookie]

I'll call 'em up today. Hell, might even just go in. Haven't been able to make it out in a while, gimme a chance to get out for a bit. Thanks for the input man.

[Hypsi87]

if it is throwing a code, then it is more likely the EGR position sensor than the EGR.

[Camaro Rookie]

Well, like said, I do get an SES light, but none of those places (AutoZone, Advance, etc.) are able to pull codes from my car. I guess 95 was the transition from OBDI to OBDII.
Btw, where is the EGR position sensor? Don't remember seeing anything about that in the book! lol

[ct91rs]

GM did equip some vehicles with the OBDII connector, while still running an OBD I system. As far as I know, the only way to get the code is to go to a dealer or a shop, which both have better scanning equipment than an autoparts store, but you'll be paying for it.

[Camaro Rookie]

Hell yeah, I called up the dealer and they quoted me $97!!! I can't pay that right now!