I've got 12 flashes on my 87 LXi, so I took off the EGR and snaked a line up as far into the port as I could with throttle body cleaner, lots of carbon came out. I've looked on this forum, but can't find the procedure for anything before 1990. Plus, after all that, the light still comes on after about 5 minutes of driving. Should I replace the EGR ? Is there a better way to clean the ports that I've missed? It runs fine, but that light is going to be a problem for inspection.

 

a real common problem with those early systems is the solenoid in the control box gets plugged up with crud. Only old grey haired honda techs remember this one LOL
First put vacum on the EGR diaphram to be sure it will pull up; Then if it is all good... follow the vacum line back into the control box to the control solenoid and spray out the orficeswith some brake clean and compressed air.

 

Thanks Hondadude, EGR diaphram checked out good. In the process I think I might have found the problem. Wherevacuum lines17 and 18 attach to that U shaped chamber/tube that connects the air filter to the intake, the little plastic nipples are broken off, so the lines aren't connected. 17 goes to EGR control solenoid valve, 18 goes to Fast Idle Control Solenoid Valve in the control box (if I'm reading the diagram correctly). Right now I've got some epoxy trying to put those broken plastic nipples back on.
Do you think this is the culprit? I guess I'll know after it cures and I put it all back together.

 

Well after I put everything back together and took a test drive the light came back on again$*&@!. Then taking the hoses off, my epoxy job on the smaller nipple snapped off. *%%$!!. Not wanting to wait another 24 hours for another epoxy job to cure and most likely snap off again, I did a McGyver and made a stent using part of a ballpoint pen that fit good and snug. Sprayed everything out with brake cleaner as described by Hondadude. Guess that did the trick, no more engine light! Thanks for the tip.