ASZ TDI Euro 3: AGR Valve Replacement & Deactivation

I'm slowly but surely overtaking my 2002 Ibiza with my heavily modified ASZ 130hp 310Nm TDI engine.
I replaced the AGR valve 100,000 kilometers ago.
Now, I want to do something good for the engine and the intake system for the next few years, and that means deactivating the EGR system.
I place the highest value on maximizing the engine's lifespan.
Deactivating the EGR system doesn't directly affect the engine itself. However, could the engine experience increased stress in the lower load range due to a higher combustion temperature?

Could I gradually clean the intake manifold over the long term using some kind of chemical treatment?

I would appreciate hearing about your experiences.

kiter wrote:

Now, I want to do something good for the engine and the intake system for the next few years, and that includes deactivating the EGR. I place the highest value on maximizing the engine's lifespan.

The AGR (Abgasrückführung) significantly contributes to faster engine warm-up under partial load conditions. You will notice this very clearly during the winter.
Longer warm-up times are not beneficial for extending the lifespan.

kiter wrote:

Deactivating the EGR system doesn't actually have a direct impact on the engine.

The engine control unit (ECU) might easily detect that it cannot control the air mass using the AGR valve. However, I don't know if your specific ECU will report this as an error. In the previous generation (1Z/AHU/AFN), no errors were reported. From Euro 4 onwards, errors were definitely reported. I'm unsure about Euro 3.

kiter wrote:

Can it happen that the engine, in the lower load range, experiences overstress due to a higher combustion temperature?

Negligible.
The engine is more likely to experience high combustion temperatures under high load, and in those situations, the EGR system is usually closed anyway.

kiter wrote:

Could I gradually clean the intake manifold over the long term using some kind of chemical?

Time heals all wounds .
The airflow and the oil will probably gradually clean it again.

But first, one should check: Is there even a problem? Is everything really clogged?

Here in the forum, you can find several cleaning reports (with and without major disassembly) and corresponding pictures.

I once deactivated the AGR myself in my AHU vehicle. The warm-up time in winter was only acceptable with a pre-heater. Without a pre-heater, I would have removed the AGR system completely after the first winter.