1.9tdi going into limp mode on hills?

[alpenweiss2]

Hello all.

Our 1999 1.9 tdi has started going into limp mode under boost on hills especially.

I have had this problem before and IIRC I did the Mister Muscle oven cleaner trick and it worked fine. Was a few years ago!!

I tried this morning to do the same but now I remember the car has an EGR blanking plate fitted between the manifold and EGR flexipipe. I managed to undo the bolts and remove the EGR pipe to access the manifold but the EGR blanking plate is stuck fast to the manifold? Can't prise it off and trapped my finger in the pliers so now have a massive blood blister. Decided to put it all back together as we are going away tomorrow. Is there any other way to treat this issue as the limp mode problem is becoming quite regular now? Cheers Paul lost in France!