Methods and systems for controlling the conditions of a coolant for the cooler of an exhaust gas recirculation system are disclosed. The system determines coolant pressure at predetermined location of the cooler. The system also senses the actual temperature of the coolant at a predetermined location of the cooler. The system also determines a coolant boiling temperature at the determined coolant pressure. Using the determined coolant pressure, the system may control engine operation so as to prevent coolant from reaching boiling in the cooler. An engine derate power factor may be determined to control the amount of fuel delivered to the engine, such as reducing the amount of fuel delivered through the fuel injectors. The amount of delivered fuel may be derated until an adjusted coolant temperature falls a predetermined amount below the coolant boiling temperature.