Egr Valve

[Fids]

Hi folks, just bought my first Lexus, 57 plate IS220d. Car was serviced by the selling garage, an Independent dealer about 5 days after I picked her up. I ran backwards and forwards to London from the midlands a few times and was really disappointed with the fuel economy!!!! I hoped that the service would sort it out a bit and was hopeful on my drive down to see if things improved. Not a great deal. averaging about 32mpg.

That night switched my laptop on and found this website and read everything i could find about fuel economy and problems with the engine. Discovered many posts and replies concerning the EGR valve and what it does, followed various links to different websites about how to service it and resolved to at least have a look myself before going to a garage to service it. To be honest I located it within seconds of taking the engine cover off, decided to chance my arm and undo the 4 bolts and unclip the solenoid power supply, and there it was in my hands absolutely clogged with carbon and the port on the engine block almost totally blocked off. Had a vacuum cleaner handy at work so started cleaning the port and sucking away the crap, job done in 10mins. The valve itself took a little longer didn't have any carb cleaner but did have electrical circuit board spray which is much the same thing. Gave it all a good blow out with an airline, everything nice and clean and refitted. What a difference!! not the same car, responsive and rapid driving has commenced. I can now see why the car is geared the way it is :D

It's also averaging 42 mpg! Thanks to everyone who wrote about the subject, I'm very pleased with my car but i would like to know why the EGR is not checked every service.