Abstract: An exhaust passage control valve has a valve element of a spiral shape mounted on a valve seat portion of a housing through which exhaust gases from an engine pass. The valve element is urged by a valve spring in a direction of closing the valve. A spring constant of the valve spring is kept low without enlarging the valve spring, and there can be obtained opening and closing characteristics in that the valve opens at a stretch when an exhaust-gas pressure has reached a predetermined value. As the valve spring, a helical torsion spring having a coiled cylindrical body portion is used. Arm portions on both ends of a coiled cylindrical body portion are engaged with a pair of spring receiving members. The spring receiving members are disposed in the housing on circumferentially opposite sides of the valve seat portions. The arm portion are engaged with the spring receiving members so as to be slidable in a longitudinal direction of the arm portions.