now i know that all of the emissions tests are different between the states, but my car is throwing the egr valve code, and i know this involves the exhaust so i was wondering if this would prevent me from passing an average emissions test with an egr valve that isnt functioning properly?

 

what state are you in so someone local to you can give you a clear answer?
here in pa and other states any code noticable (ses light) is an automatic fail. if no ses light, i believe you are given tolerance if a bank is having an issue.

if you have less than 5k miles on the car after the first inspection of owning the car, you need only to pass the visual but some places overlook that too if the milage is low enough. i dont ask anyone for favors with my inspection, i just know some peoples routine, hence a legal pass with no cats, air, egr, smog etc.

 

EGR lowers combustion chamber temps. This reduces certain emisions. I would get it fixed ASAP

 

wouldnt reducing emissions be good for passing the test? or do they test to see that those emissions you are referring to are there?

and im from maryland

 

Yeah, reducing emissions, whether it be NOx, CO, or HC, is always great.

From my Ranger emissions test the other day, there is a target number for each emissions I mentioned. Stay below and pass at both the low and high rpm tests on the dyno.

I bet the tester gets suspicious if (s)he tests and a flat out "0" shows up for one of the numbers. No combustion is complete in the real world...but the CO (I think) that was at 0.1% on the Ranger is plenty good for me. I had to get a new cat convertor for the truck last year because it failed the first test...BARELY! It is doing a darn good job these days, I see.