You can easily check for proper EGR operation by briefly cracking the throttle open so the engine reaches 2,500 rpm or so. You should see the pintle move slightly.
Check for excessive carbon build-up as well.
If the motor is getting EGR when it is not desired, it can lean the mixture enough to induce a misfire (and rough idle) and effect the HC emissions
![](http://home.sprynet.com/~dale02/egr2.jpg)