1997 Buick LeSabre started idling rough and had a stored P0300 and P1406 codes. I did some research and found that it'* common for the EGR Valve to fail, especially when it has over 170,000 miles like this one. I also read that they don't take well to cleaning so it'* best to just replace at this point. $150 for a new one with a lifetime warranty from the local part store (came with gasket).

EGR Valve and gasket:


It is a very easy replacement. There is an electrical connector on top of the EGR Valve that you must first disconnect. Then you have two 13mm nuts, one on each side holding it down. If you are as lucky as me, the gasket will be stuck to the old EGR Valve and come right out with it. Otherwise make sure to clean the surface well before installing the new gasket.

It is also a good idea to remove and inspect the pipe going down to the LIM to ensure there are no carbon buildups or blockages that could cause your new EGR Valve to prematurely fail.

Wow Tom I had no idea the Egr was $150+ Which brand did u purchase?
The Delco Egr lists at $175 at rock auto.
I guess it running much better now..!
MY PA had a hick up going down hill with foot of gas yesterday..dont tell me I'm next.

Darn those pesky EGR valves!

Good info... except for price! With an easy replacement like that, store brand with lifetime warranty would be fine. Otherwise I've had mixed results with aftermarket parts, seemingly quality on China-made no name stuff is going down... prone to failure. For anything that takes some decent labor to replace (whether I'm doing it or paying someone), I think I'd stick with ACDelco or other OEM.

In this case, it was the EGR.....but those two codes are not an "absolute" for replacing the EGR.....a partially blocked exhaust, can build up pressure in the exhaust to unseat the valve on the EGR(affecting pintle position) and bleed exhaust gas back through the intake, causing a misfire......

Had a guy drive his car with this problem and didn't fix it........got to the point where he burned a hole in the top upper plenum above the EGR opening.....

Gus do u know where the partial blockage was in his exhaust? catalytic related ?

I removed mine when I did my UIM/LIM, and I found that the pintle would occasionally stick, I was able to clean it fairly well, and it quit sticking, so far it has not given me any problems, and it has been over a year, I may have just gotten lucky cleaning it.
I considered going with the EGR Valve Gaskets that have the screen on them, but since I was on a budget at thee time I went with the regular EGR valve Gasket.

Yes, it was the cat......

Art - I got the duralast with the lifetime warranty.

The first Autozone I went to had one with a busted connector so I had to drive to another in the next town to get a good one. It looked like the old one had a piece of gasket stuck in the valve but I didn't know if just cleaning and removing that would solve the problem or if there was residual damage. Plus I've heard they fail fairly often at that mileage so my inclination was replace it and not worry about it.

William - It was on the girlfriends car and I don't need her getting stranded somewhere, especially with this weather. If it was my car... well.. I guess it wouldn't have been a problem in the first place because I "misplaced" my EGR when I put on the intercooler.

I recently got this code on my 97 PA when I try to accelerate when the gas tank is a quarter left in it.... And I also have a code p0441. Any suggestions?