Well it is not quite an electronic EGR valve, more like plunger that gets moved a bit - with positional feedback.
Anyway, there was an urban myth/truth that if you switched on the ignition but did not start the engine, the throttle body would perform basic setting, ie it would move the flap to both extremes - this is all the basic setting function does, but it does then
store both end stop voltage positions and checks that they are valid, ie roughly what it would expect.
The EGR, if removed and cleaned can also get commanded to perform basic settings, again moved from end to end and end stop voltages checked and stored.
I'm not convinced that giving things a quick clean will solve your listed
problem as the engine can live happily with limited EGR issues, but time will tell - every little bit counts!
When you are doing this, maybe give the MAP sensor a treat with some carb cleaner - it can be found bolted to the driver's side of the inlet manifold, no need to worry about gaskets as it has an captive O-ring seal.
BTW, when I as a boy(!)I used to travel home on a boat called Loch Arkaig, quite fast but made to be top heavy to satisfy the needs of some piers!