I know there are like hundreds of posts about testing the EGR system. Specifically, pulling a vacuum on the EGR valve to see if it's hanging or not. My dumb/newbie question is: How or with what do you use to create the vacuum? Do you just suck on the hose? Or is there a tool designed to do this? Sorry for the lame question, but I'm planning on testing mine this weekend.

Thanks,
David

You can use a vacuum hand pump that's available at local parts stores. I remember reading one of my manuals (Keeping Your Toyota Alive or something of that nature) saying you can suck on the hose going to the EGR to test it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

I use a Mity-Vac hand-held pump:



Handy for checking vacuum operated items, gauge is handy for checking vacuum readings and you can get it with the brake bleeding adapters and do that as well.

Quickest way I have found is to grab a vac line that is functioning at idle and plugging it into the top. The vac lines that come off the plenum right next to the EGR valve are good examples. Just unhook from your favorite VSV and connect to the top of the EGR. All this will prove is if the EGR is opening when vaccum is applied. If the EGR isnt shutting and sealing then the only way to check for that is to block off the flow into the plenum or remove the valve and try blowing air through it. Without vac. applied air shouldnt be able to pass.
Another favorite tool of mine is them light bulb shaped rubber baby snot rags? Works great for pulling vaccum amoung other things.
~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

Another simple test to see if its sticking open at idle is to lightly tap on the valve body with something and if the idle smoothes out, then the valve could be sticking open. The vibrations of tapping on it shake the valve loose and let it close like its supposed to.