So I pulled the EGR valve off my TL tonight to clean it due to a P0404 code. Does any one know if the pindle on the EGR valve is spring loaded? I tried pushing in the pindle with a screwdriver in order to clean the carbon build-up but the pindle won't go in.

 

Can you post a picture of your egr valve in the engine? I'm trying to clean mine too and I don't know where it is. Then maybe I can help you with your problem.

 

Service Manual Scan is in here....

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/119-diy-egr-replacement-770698/

Take the plastic cover off the engine. The EGR valve is on the right side mounted down where the radiator hose goes into the engine. There is a gray plug going into the top of it held in place by 2 nuts on the base.

 

actually, i kinda figured out the cleaning process for the EGR valve on our cars. Instead of the pindle pushing in, the pindle pulls out of the valve. So, I just took a flathead screwdriver and pry the pindle out a little while I sprayed throttle body cleaner all around it.

 

Did cleaning it make any difference in performance? Was it clogged?
I have 120k on mine and thinking of cleaning it along with my timing belt job.

 

yes, cleaning it definitely helped me. My TL was idling rough one day. It must've been a tiny piece of carbon stuck on the EGR valve.

 

Is your car vibrating a lot?