EGR vs BYPASS vs BLOCKING PLATE views.

[PassSPORT]

I am interested in every body's views on the Pros & Cons of the EGR valve.

I am going to clean mine out, but I am always wondering what would be the best setup.

You read good points and bad points about

Cleaning the Egr valve,
Keep it shut by removing vacuum pipe and blocking it
Bypass kit
Blocking plate

I am most interested in

Clean & engine running ( minimal oil & soot buildup, and black smoke)
Mpg
Performance

in that order.

This paragraph is taken from Wikipedia, and is part of the explanation on EGR valves.

EGR deletion
EGR deletion in diesel engines is considered justifiable by a wide range of people, including the environmentally conscious. Although deleting the EGR system results in increased NOx (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/wiki/NOx) levels, hydrocarbon emissions (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/wiki/Hydrocarbon), Particulates (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/wiki/Particulate_matter), Carbon monoxide (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/wiki/Carbon_monoxide) and Carbon dioxide (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/wiki/Carbon_dioxide) are drastically reduced. Furthermore, EGR deletion results in an increase in fuel economy as high as 25%. Exhaust gas recirculated back into the cylinders adds wear-inducing contaminants and causes an increase engine oil acidity, which can result in an inefficient, poorly running engine. The increased level of soot also creates the need for diesel particulate filters (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/wiki/Diesel_particulate_filters) to prevent environmental contamination.

[snapdragon]

I don't like them either, but it will probably cause an error code for EGR and MAF. I don't think there's any point blanking it if you disable the vacuum feed which operates it. When I did my old car, I used a small piece of plastic artist's paintbrush handle slid into the vacuum pipe, a ball bearing or bead is also good if you can get one the right size..

[stonedagain]

I don't like them either, but it will probably cause an error code for EGR and MAF. I don't think there's any point blanking it if you disable the vacuum feed which operates it. When I did my old car, I used a small piece of plastic artist's paintbrush handle slid into the vacuum pipe, a ball bearing or bead is also good if you can get one the right size..

I cut the vac pipe under the engine cover, cut the head off a 6mm bolt (about an inch long) & used the bolt shank to join the vac pipe back together. I can't see the point in wasting money on an overpriced blanking kit, the disabled egr valve does the blanking by itself!

[PassSPORT]

I cut the vac pipe under the engine cover, cut the head off a 6mm bolt (about an inch long) & used the bolt shank to join the vac pipe back together. I can't see the point in wasting money on an overpriced blanking kit, the disabled egr valve does the blanking by itself!

What advantages have you noticed since doing this?
Any downsides with cold running or anything?