Does oil seperator/breather ever need cleaning

[lakemaligne]

I have owned a 1996 2Ltr 16v petrol LX 406 from new ,which has covered 165,000 miles,and I have never replaced or cleaned out the oil seperator/breather which is connected to the rocker cover via a short tube,which i think (?) vents oil vapour back into the engine to be burnt. The unit is a small round thing about 2" in diameter,which tapers down to where a pipe is connected which then splits in two,one pipe runs to the air intake,and the other joins the large air intake pipe coming from the air filter box.

My question is ,does this thing need replacing or cleaning every now and then,as i seem to have a bit of oil residue forming around the surrounding area,and was wondering if it is blocked up.

[lozz]

Hi mate,
not sure on the puggys tbh but ive seen some rocker covers on other cars that as a Gauze in and cleaning them helps them
breath abit better,
might be worth a look see if theres a Gauze in there and if there is clean it with some parrafin or petrol,

[lakemaligne]

Hi lozz, yes the unit is part of the engine breathing circuit and is sealed and does have a gauze element inside which is meant to catch oil residue and according to the Master Tech at my dealer also acts as a "flame blow back retarder". This i guess is to stop a backfire back into the rocker cover .I am going to take it off and soak it in petrol.