EGR Tube

[Jerry Ikemire]

I recently bought an '86 SE with the V6. After reading many posts about EGR tube being the usual suspect in the high idle I went to check it. I found the tube was missing and the EGR valve was plated off and so is the other end. What is the purpose of this? It idles at 2200 cold then at warm 1500. Should I be looking for some kind of modification on this?

 

[CatSkinner]

Well , as long as you don't have to go through any emissions inspection, it shouldn't be an issue as is, you just may have to adjust the base idle, just don't try until it warms up to normal operating temp.

 

[Oreif]

If the EGR is blocked off and your idle is that high, You still have a vacuum leak somewhere.
The EGR provides a slight amount of exhaust gases into the intake during steady cruising because the leaner 14.7 fuel/air ratio can cause head temps to get high and the inert exhaust gasses help keep the head temps lower. Higher temps cause NOx gasses to be created which is a pollutant and the EGR system reduces them. If some one removed the EGR tube, I hope that they reprogrammed the computer to not turn it on and changed the A/F ratio. If not it can cause the engine to run leaner and hotter reducing its longevity.

As for your idle issue, I would check the vacuum lines first. If you cannot locate a leak, Try removing the IAC and cleaning it out and/or replacing the IAC sensor.
IAC = Idle Air Controller