Don't think you can clean it, I briefly remember speaking to you about something else, is it a 2.0ltr (dv10) ? If so its a stepper motor type and not advisable to strip. The 1.8 in the connect is a mechanical type.
You only need to blank off one end, into the cylinder head, you'll have a job to blank the other end as its on the cooler and you'd need a perfectly round piece to fit inside the clamp.