I dont know if this is a EGR problem, even when both my EGR bolts were loose I never had any problems with it starting. Although a dirty EGR was not the issue with mine, it was just a matter of keeping the bolts tight.

If the idle is erratic you may want to try cleaning the idle control valve(real easy to do). Sounds more like a direct fuel issue to me. But I am no expert.

Can you spin the 22m bolt on the bottom of the EGR? If not I doubt its loose and probably doesnt need tightning. Everytime mine has come loose its been sitting down on the pipe a few inches below the threads.