Cleaning an electronic EGR valve

[etex211]

I've removed the EGR valve from my '96 one ton truck as per the instructions of several people in this forum (see "Deteriorating Gas Mileage" thread), and now I'm not really sure what to do with it. My EGR valve looks like the one found at this link:

 

AC Delco 214-5595 EGR Valve

 

There is a plunger in the base of the valve and it moves up and down freely. The middle of the plunger will accept a T25 socket. There are three screws that appear to hold two halves of the EGR valve together, but the heads of these screws are hidden underneath the big plastic housing on top. I can't see a way to get to those screws to disassemble the valve.

 

What do I need to do from here? Does the fact that the plunger moves freely mean that I have more trouble than just a buildup of carbon? I'm not sure what to do next. Please help.

 

Thanks,

Mark

[millerwd]

I serviced the one on my '96 5.7 only because the SES would come on while it ran like crap.. After removing mine I did notice the pintle would stick when moving it back and forth. I cleaned it with carb cleaner for a day till it would move back and forth with out sticking. I never had another problem with it for the next 50k miles till i traded it.

 

If the the ECM isn't setting the SES ( i forget the number but it equates to "EGR pintle out of position) and you can't feel the pintle sticking I doubt that it is causing a problem.

 

Just my 2 cents worth'

BillM