R50 EGR valve 2.7 turbo diesel

[hemi265]

I went to add a blank off plate to the base of the EGR valve as described by the other thread.
The EGR valve is on the inside rear of the intake manifold, and there isn't a lot of room there to get your hands on it. I tried levering it with reasonable force but still can't get it back far enough. It is loose though.
It is really rigid with the pipe around the back of the motor, and I can't get it back far enough to insert the plate (thin stainless less than 1mm thick)
If I take the bolts right out, I can get some up and down flex that probably would allow me to get the plate in there, but I'm not sure whether I will get it back to get the bolts to line up with the plate in between.
I just don't want to disturb it and damage the gasket, or end up with sealing problems by doing the job.
I started looking and as mine runs well at the moment, I started to consider why can't I just disconnect the vacuum pipe to the valve. Or maybe unplugging the solenoid valve that controls it.

Does vacuum open the valve or close it?

[hemi265]

I think I'm all sorted now. I ended up loosing the flange down under it to get some movement. Haven't test run it yet, but fingers crossed the joints won't leak.
Easy enough job, but getting arms and hands in there I found difficult.