CM870 egr block

Hey everyone! I recently purchased a 07 9900i with a isx cm870. I didn't make it a half hour into my first load before my egr valve malfunctioned. I unplugged the stepper motor until I can get back home, the truck works great until it gets hot then it seems to derate. I've read that another member on here (cowpie1) had blocked the egr pipe going into the intake and had success, but I would think hot exhaust gasses and soot would still be entering the egr valve and cooler? Wouldn't blocking the exhaust before the valve be a better idea since the valve would stay clean and cool along with the cooler? As long as the egr valve is able to operate although not actually recirculating any gas would this cause any cel's to occur? I've read extensively into rawzes tutorials and posts, but most seems to be directed at the cm871. Thanks in advance!

 

Yeah just read that before u posted it. I apologize