Cleaning the EGR cooler. Or Not!

Thanks Wendel, for your very helpful reply. As a ChatGPT addict I asked for further clarification on the issue. An earlier question to it had stated an extreme scenario. You might enjoy seeing its answer to yours, below. (A much longer detailed answer with step-by-step DIY guidance was given. Too long to post here. I can send direct if you like. But none of it likely news to you. Its detail was impressive though. ChatGPT is helpful...most of the time

"The EGR cooler stud can be difficult and nerve-wracking. Breaking it does not doom the engine. Mendel omitted reinstalling it because it is non-critical. Shops over-warn because of liability, not because of real danger. ChatGPT earlier advice leaned toward theoretical worst-case. Mendel’s answer reflects hands-on Prius reality."