When you take off the EGR valve for cleaning should you see the plunger if you look down into it?

When i cleaned mine a couple of weeks ago all i could see was a sooted up spring and no plunger.Does this meen mine is stuck open?

The top of the solanoid had already been drilled out and the whole lot cleaned properly(by prevous owner) but i skipped that bit.

Would it contributre to my poor mpg im getting at the moment and slight lack of performance?...by the way theres no spanner light on or anything

Thanks