Check engine light on sometimes. EGR valve. Should I replace?

more likely it needs to be cleaned. along with the rest of the circuit

get it done before you blow a head gasket

does she burn any oil?

 

you can't tell if it needs replacing until you clean it. you should definitely clean it, along with the rest of the connected piping and intake manifold.

 

okay, but if they don't clean the rest of it, you're going to wind up with the same problem or worse

 

there are lots of egr threads here if you want to search, research, and verify

 

Whose the local mechanic?

Have they ever cleaned the egr circuit?

You’ll need to do the whole thing to gain any lasting effect.

 

@Mnext02 the operative phrase is "car has 195K miles". Do yourself a favour and listen. The dealerships are clowns, tag along with them and you will end up seriously out-of-pocket, and no closer to dodging a blown head gasket. More'n likely all you've got to do is clean (not replace) all the components that comprise the Exhaust Gas Recirculation circuit. That's everything yellowed in this picture:



The exhaust gases are meant to flow through all the yellowed components. The rightmost item is the cooler, and is likely to very clogged by now. Ditto for the small passageways in the intake manifold (lower left). Replacing just the valve (outlined in red) is useless; they system will still be clogged. Accordingly the engine runs hot, and you're in danger of a head gasket failure, which in turn can lead to bent piston arms.

Simplest and best approach is to DIY, if at all possible. Next best, work with an independent mechanic. You might even be able to find one that'll do the wrenching, let you clean the components: It's also advantageous to install an Oil Catch Can, while the intake manifold's off.

The simplest way to see where you're at, is to check the degree of carbon build up in the EGR pipe, a stainless steel connecting pipe between the EGR valve and intake manifold. Watch @NutzAboutBolts video #16 here:

Nutz About Bolts Prius Maintenance Videos | PriusChat

Two or three other videos linked there too, for the full cleaning of the intake manifold, full EGR clean, and Oil Catch Can install.

Good thread:

EGR & Intake Manifold Clean Results | PriusChat

Another:

Oil Catch Can, Eliminate that knock! | PriusChat

Some tools worth having:

E8 Torx socket (mandatory)
E6 Torx socket (optional, but good to have, to remove the throttle body studs from intake manifold)
3/8" ratchet wrench, regular and long handle, flex head, you can never have enough (or 1/2 plus reducer)
1/4" ratchet wrench, or 3/8" to 1/4" reducer
Ratchet extensions: you can never have enough
Long needle nose piers, straight and bent tip
Ratcheting 12mm box wrench (optional, but makes disconnection of the EGR cooler from exhaust easier)
Torque wrench (3/8" and 1/4" both good to have)
Floor jack and safety stands (or ramps): basically some method to raise front, if you need to take underpanel off, which you may need to, both for access and to recover dropped items.

 

so .... sketchy advice from the local mechanic as well as the OEM service center. Hopefully that $400 includes cleaning out the ancillary components. Otherwise it would be like getting a new heart valve - even though their aorta is plugged up with plaque & cholesterol. You'd be back in the hospital in no time. The sad part is you've got the car cracked open that far anyways, when it's the easiest to do.
.

 

Details?

 

driving and weather conditions

 

You cleaned the EGR. How was it, how clogged? You were able to clean the cooler pretty good? Intake manifold cleaning, how'd that go?

 

Read closely

sounds like it was done down the road at a mechanic.

 

What did u get done? Did you have the wallet flush done?

Did you not heed all the replies that the long time prius owners/members gave you?

Every reply was letting you know the doing part was cleaning out the components.