My crystal ball shows a clutch in your future.

<snipped>

The problem with driving today's modern vehicles is that they are pretty
reliable, and so it is easy to lose track of parts prices.  It seems like
the only cheap parts on any car nowadays are fuses and light bulbs (other
than headlamps).

Just picked up a '93 Escort that had been sitting in a friend's driveway for
5 or 6 months.  It is going to need a new battery, a bunch of bulbs, and
rear shock supports.  The hood won't latch and the gear select lever takes a
lot of effort to move, hopefully those are just adjustments and cleaning.
It barely makes 30 MPH with the engine revving, I'll have to investigate a
little further.

Me too.

I had suggested that since the EGR valve was cheap, and had to come off to
clean the tube, one may as well replace it (or be ready to). It turns out
the EGR is not cheap at all.

I would not start replacing parts based on the price.  I would check the
parts and their function first, then replace the part that tests bad.

I'm pretty sure it is all one. Buy the new EGR valve, and use it to
determine the screws needed to get the old one off.

While it is off, you can snake a coat hanger or equivelent down the tube,
but I don't think you will find very much. I have never ever had an EGR
valve problem, and one of my brother's had trouble with one a long time ago.
He replaced the part, but I don't know what he may have done with the tube.

I agree with those that say it might be plugged, but my experience is that
none of mine have ever been plugged. If it is plugged, it is easy to clean,
but do not stress if you find it is clean already.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES
I found the EGR valve at napaonline.com for $174 and $194 (4- and 6-cyl,
respectively). This changes my approach a bit. There are other parts --  
control solenoid, for example -- that are less costly. I would rethink what
I would do in the face of a $200 part. I'd take a closer look at the tube,
and check the solenoid and sensor.

I'm an optomist, and this demands the expensive parts be robust. Assuming
this is accurate, the EGR valve itself should be okay.

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