Exhaust gas recirculation valve

An exhaust gas recirculation valve (10) for an engine comprises a valve body (12) having a valve passage (14) therein for exhaust gases. A valve seat (20) is arranged in the valve passage (14) and a closing element (22) is associated therewith. A valve shaft (24) is attached at one end to the closing element (22) and extends out of the passage (14) through a shaft aperture (26) to be coupled at its other end to actuating means. Protecting means (36) are provided around the valve shaft (24) in the valve passage (14) and designed so as to deviate exhaust gases travelling along the valve shaft (24) in such a way as not to directly impinge onto the shaft (24) in the vicinity of the shaft aperture (26).