Thanks for the input folks and for the informative link skraps.
In blissful ignorance, when cleaning the first Turkish meer pipe, it was given the boiling ethanol treatment and the bowl was filled (not with denatured but pharmaceutical grade 200 proof dehydrated ethanol-- the drinkable stuff) This pipe was not only unsmokeable but to even draw air through with an empty bowl left a bad taste. After the tortuous process it seemed no worse for the wear and smoked crisp and clean, night and day difference.
I flushed it 3 times until clear ethanol came out. I suspect that without a flush the alcohol will just draw the old tar into the block as it's so porous. Of course some will be removed by a swab but not all and if you tasted this thing you'd want it all out too!
The Kilimanjaro above is Amboseli meerschaum. It's supposedly more dense and less brittle than Turkish but obviously quite porous. It's improved but could still use at least a few soaked cleaners run through.
