I have been trying to clean my Part-Load Breather orifice on my 1998 XJ8 as per the instructions on DIY Max Performance cars as suggested in previous tread (engine stall on interstate on decellerating) using a paper clip but having found the metered orifice I cannot push the wire more than about 1 inch below the top edge of the breather stub as the bottom feels very solid, like plastic or metal in the way and I don't want to try pushing it through and doing damage. Should the sire be able to go clear through the orifice to about 2 inches below the top edge of the breather stub?
I attached a tube to the breather stub but can neither blow air no suck air through the orifice....should I be able to, there doesn't seem to be any oil sludge in the tibe but O don't know if the orifice truns or not which impedes my wire, any help as always is gratefully received.
Thank you,
Michigan.

 

Thats why you use a small drill bit 3/32nds by hand to cut through deposits, and yes they do totally plug, and yes there is a metal plate inside the cam cover to keep oil splash from getting to the orifice and really causing oil consumption issues and plugging. Maybe you are blowing though it but at the size of that opening its small and you might think nothing is going through

 

I did as Brutal suggested, mine was pretty tight but after a few attempts it cleared. Just screwed it in a couple of times cleaning the bit each time. Thanks Brutal.