I guess I'll have to check it out if I ever have a problem with carbon
buildup somewhere.  I clean throttle bodies with carb cleaner and a paper
towel, it has worked well up to now.

In a 4cly.. The direct spray into the opening of the pvc hose would go
across to hit the Egr valve. Seafoam works well while soaking for a period
of time. Then ulimately it would be sent out of the intake immediately.
The pvc hose is directly in front of the Egr valve.
Seafoam is a good cleaner for throttle bodies also allowing them to soak &
to scub with an old toothbrush.
I had discovered it through Toyotanation.com. They have a search that could
answer your questions. It does many different things. It works suprisingly
well.

How does the Seafoam go directly to the EGR valve from the PVC hose?
Something sprayed into the PVC hose would normally have to pass through the
throttle body, intake manifold, and combustion chamber before some gets
drawn through the EGR tube and valve.  The stuff must be pretty potent if it
will clean out a blocked EGR system.  Seafoam's web site mentions that it
will clean EGR systems but doesn't explain how it works.  I've read several
posts from people who say that Seafoam works well, although I do not have
direct experience with it.

I don't want to step on anyones toes here.
If it's a 4cyl. get some "Seafoam" in the spraycan with a straw ( I like to
tape the straw in place ) then disconnect the pvc hose , start the car up
and spray into the hose. It will directly hit the egr valve and it'll clean
what sludge off of the egr. there will be some smoke coming out the exhaust.
Thats a good thing, it's cleaning it.

If the valve isn't working properly. I suggest a new one from Rockauto.com
for $126. Take a look there's a picture , it'll give you a good idea of
where the line that extends to it goes.
In any case good luck.

Look at Figure 13 of Autozone''s free online repair guide, if you have
5SFE (4cyl):
http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/13/eb/25/0900823d8013eb25/repai
rInfoPages.htm

Look at Figure 21-25 if you have 1MZFE (6cyl). They didn't mention a
whole lot about the EGR valve itself other than to remove it for
cleaning if stuffed with carbon, but if you click on the figure you
can view a larger one. Just remove the nuts/bolts holding the egr
valve in place.

If the tube from the exhaust pipe is blocked, as many owners had
reported, you can use a discarded electrical cord on a power drill to
make your own power rooter. Also blow clean the vacuum modulator's
filter under it's top cap, they don't sell the filter pad by itself,
so don't damage it. Your local parts store will carry Haynes repair
manual if you need it.

Use throttle body cleaner like: http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=137
Just don't subject the rubber diaphragm to the solvent for too long.

How is the tube detached in order to clean it?  Are they other parts to
clean?  If it is a blocked tube, how deep down do I need to go, while
clearing it?  Thanks.

At 130,000 miles, there is a fairly good possibility that the EGR tube is
blocked, especially if the car has mostly city miles.  The EGR tube is the
metal tube that is attached to the EGR valve.

The car has 130,000 miles.  Is the EGR tube the metal tube?

How many miles are on the car?  With the engine idling, apply vacuum to the
EGR valve and see if the engine starts to idle roughly or start to die.  If
that happens, check the EGR position sensor.  If the engine does not start
to die, check the EGR tube for blockage.  Most likely, the EGR tube is
blocked with carbon buildup.  If that is the case, you can try to dig out
some of the carbon or replace the EGR valve and tube.

Hello,

My Camry '97 just failed inspection.  It is code P0401. 'Exhaust Gas
Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected.'  Would you please give me your
recommendations.

Thanks,
Talal Itani