Search for this, preferably on Google as the forum doesn't work as well. Super well covered, tons of info.
They are technically serviceable, and there are procedures for diagnosis. Could be clogged, check valve could be seized, or other things. Could also be something else clogged or malfunctioning in the EGR system, for which there are also diagnostic procedures.
Fuel economy could be other things too. What servicing have you done, and what might need servicing, possibly related to performance/efficiency?
My EGR system isn't functioning correctly, have the P0401 code, used to have gas tank pressure hissing out for a second, but not anymore (don't quite know why) and I don't have abnormal fuel economy. Time to dig around and do some diagnostics.