So my check engine light has been coming off and on for a couple years now but since all my driving has been in town I just ignore it because it is code 71 (EGR). Well, in August I am going to have to drive 5000 miles round trip. My concern is that with the long distance of cruising, my engine will be running too lean and I will hurt something. I've taken the EGR off and it was not clogged. My head was off approx 30,000 miles ago for a head gasket and it got cleaned. Has anyone ran long ditances with the EGR malfunctioning and/or blocked. I'm wondering whether or not to try and deal with it before I leave or not. I've also read about adjusting the AFM and was thinking maybe adjusting it one click to prevent it from running lean, but during my searches I found a lot of DO NOT TOUCH IT responses. I've also read where people put in a restrictor plate that reduces the amount of gases and was wondering if anyone's had success doing that with a header installed and 2.25" exhaust as I have. Or would I be just as well blocking it off.