<snipped>

I posted this before, perhaps you missed it.  Apply vacuum to the EGR valve
to open the EGR valve while the engine is idling and see if the engine
starts to run poorly or starts to die.  If the engine starts to run poorly
and starts to die, then the EGR valve is working properly and the valve and
tube are not clogged.  The next thing to check would be the EGR position
sensor if the EGR tests OK.

Anticipating your next question, you can apply vacuum to the EGR valve with
a Mighty-Vac tool or you can bypass the vacuum switching valve and EGR
modulator and plug the vacuum line directly into the EGR valve.

If the engine runs pretty much the same when you apply vacuum, then the
valve is not opening or the valve and/or tube are clogged.

I did not test the EGR valve.  How do I do that?

Unfortunately, Autozone does not have an online repair guide for the 1997
Camry.  They do have a guide for the 1996 and earlier Camrys, and the
illustrations at least show you what the parts look like and where to look
for them.

In some applications, the tube is part of the EGR valve and in others, the
tube is a separate part that is attached to the EGR valve.  I believe that
the tube is a separate part from the EGR valve in the Camry.  As Bruce
suggested, after you remove the tube from the car, spray some carburetor
cleaner into the tube and use a piece of solid #12 or #10 electrical wire or
a coat hanger wire to dig out the carbon buildup.

Also part of the EGR system are a EGR exhaust gas temperature sensor and an
EGR valve position sensor.  Unplug the wires from the sensors and vacuum
hoses from the EGR valve before removing the EGR valve from the engine.

Have you tested to see if the EGR valve is working yet?

Is the EGR valve the part that attached to the top of the EGR tube?  I mean,
is it one part, or two parts?  Because it sounds to me, that there should be
a valve and a sensor.  Thanks.

That is not a problem. The crumbs fall into the exhaust manifold, and
eventually go out the tail pipe.

As a caveat, it is not likely that the tube needs to be cleaned. It's
possible, that is true, but the EGR valve itself is probably worn out. It
isn't very expensive, and you may as well replace it since you will take it
off to clean the tube out.

While cleaning the tube, won't the crumbs come down into the tube?  I
assumed that I remove detach the tube from the valve, right?

<snipped>

You did not mention whether you have the 4 or 6 cylinder engine, but the EGR
valve looks like this:
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/details/QQToyotaQQCamryQQOE_ServiceQQEGR_Valve
QQ19972001QQW0133-1603325.html

The EGR valve for the 4 cylinder is pictured but the one for the 6 will look
pretty much the same.  The EGR valve is attached with 4 bolts - 2 on the
inlet and 2 on the outlet.  Remove the EGR valve and the metal tube attached
to it, and dig out the carbon buildup from inside the EGR and tube with a an
old screwdriver or awl.  Get out as much as you can and shake out the
crumbs.  If that doesn't work, replace the EGR valve and tube if they are
clogged.

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