Hello,
I have a 2004 Fiesta with an old style EGR (vacuum powered, no electrical connections, part no: 1483814).
I would like to disable it. If I remove the vacuum tube from the top of the EGR, will it be enough to stop the EGR valve opening? Or should I get a blanking kit anyways?
  
PS: The EGR is working and not stuck or anything but last week when I removed the intake, it was full of soot, carbon.
It took about 2 hours to clean it. I can't even imagine the carbon build up on the intake valves. I would like to stop this nonsense. 
Thank you!  

If it's firmly closed (not leaking around the seal) then removing the vac hose will prevent any gas from passing through it.  If it's stuck open slightly then you would need a blanking plate as well.

However, the PCM will detect the EGR failure through the MAF sensor and flag a code, potentially triggering the EML and possibly limp mode.  

A bit of soot in the intake doesn't do any harm.  It's preferable to pumping out more NOx in built up areas imo.

5 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

If it's firmly closed (not leaking around the seal) then removing the vac hose will prevent any gas from passing through it.  If it's stuck open slightly then you would need a blanking plate as well.

However, the PCM will detect the EGR failure through the MAF sensor and flag a code, potentially triggering the EML and possibly limp mode.  

A bit of soot in the intake doesn't do any harm.  It's preferable to pumping out more NOx in built up areas imo.

Thank you for the reply.
Well, it wasn't a bit of soot, unfortunately. Inlet diameters were like 30% smaller than they should be and the car pulls much better after cleaning. I always use good quality oil and fuel so that's not fair. 
I didn't understand how the MAF sensor will detect anything since it's located before the EGR. Also older models like mine doesn't have any sensors after the EGR. (newer EURO4 models has, I think)
The o2 sensor on the exhaust may get triggered but it's not likely since they have pretty large tolerances. 
I'm going to try it al least. If the EML comes on, I will remove the code and plug the hose back.

You should plug the vacuum pipe that you disconnect from the egr. 

9 hours ago, nicam49 said:

You should plug the vacuum pipe that you disconnect from the egr. 

I'm aware of that. Just plugged it with a small bolt. Engine runs much smoother, pulls away much better. No sluggishness at low RPM's anymore. I wish I did it years ago.