Hi,
So I have seen this EGR mentioned a few times randomly here and there and wanted to find out what it was exactly. I googled EGR and found a few links to help explain what it is and what it does...
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exhaust_gas_recirculation
Yahoo: http://autos.yahoo.com/maintain/repairqa/engine/ques080_1.html
Photo here: http://www.4wdaction.com.au/_phpBB/download/file.php?id=42580&mode=view
So basically its a valve that opens up and allows exhaust gas into your intake to keep harmful nitrogen oxide emissions out of the atmosphere.
Then I searched this technical section on EGR, and after manually searching through 15 pages, only found 2 topics discussing it. One was about blocking the valve off to increase power... http://forum.australia4wd.com/index.php?/topic/26225-egr-thingy/
After researching more about blocking the EGR valve off, I found a few sites that sell a 'delete plate' that blocks the valve off... https://www.chipit.com.au/products-page/diesel-mods/egr-blanking-plates/
These delete plates seem to give you more power as exhaust gas is not being recirculated into your intake, only oxygen. Some people have reported that the delete plate sends their car into 'limp mode' and are drilling a small hole in the plate to allow only a small amount of exhaust gas in. There is a bit more discussion here... http://www.4wdaction.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=107058
More info here also... http://www.4wdaction.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=83178
So, from researching this info I found that the EGR is purely for emissions control and blocking it off or putting a delete plate with a small (~10mm) hole in it, you can increase the power of your engine. There is some discussion that doing this MAY increase exhaust temperatures but this is rebuttled with only oxygen is going through your intake (not exhaust gas) so intake temperatures will be lower, which will keep the engine running temperatures lower.
Has any members blocked off their EGR valve, or put a restrictor plate in? How did it affect power, fuel economy, and running temps?
Very interested.
Thanks!