Not sure what AFM means . . . air flow meter??? It can be left alone; as long as it doesn't jam shut it won't affect airflow. The easiest way to defeat EGR is simply to block off either the input or the exit of the EGR valve. Forum members sell kits for EGR removal, too. You can remove all the vacuum stuff under the air filter as it controls the EGR and ARV valves. The EGR electronics must remain because the tach signal runs through it and because the electronic idle speed control comes from the EGR electronics.

Once EGR is defeated, you can pull the intake manifold (maybe as part of a glow plug replacement) and clean out all of the crud. With EGR defeated, it will then stay clean.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970