I was changing my oil, and noticed the hose that comes left of the filler neck, and then straight down between ports of the intake manifold, was totally broken off just below the intake manifold. This hose goes into a box buried under the manifold.

On researching this, it appears this is a VERY common problem, and my guess is it is a certainty it will happen to certain models in at least the 2004-2005 years.

Problem: Hose is made with sections that are hard, thin plastic - which becomes brittle and breaks.

The replacement hose cost $26, but appears to be made totally of rubber and won't break anytime soon. The problem is access - which is difficult, but not impossible. It is recommended by some to remove the intake manifold (YIKES).

My fix: I was able to slip my right hand straight in from the side, under the manifold, to cut off the old hose at the bottom nipple, so I could better see how to remove the bottom clamp. I plotted to use a screw hose clamp, and tighten it from the nice (and only) area I could slip my hand into, and proceeded. Note that you can only SEE the bottom connection between the ports of the intake, and from the far left side of the manifold on an angle. To my dismay, the Oetiker crimp was facing exactly LEFT, only accessible and visible from the left end of the manifold, looking in at a 45 degree angle and very little space (about three times a screwdriver diameter).

Tools:
T30 and T25 to remove spark plug cover and injector cover and turbo tube mounting bolts.
Pocket knife to cut old hose
14" total (10" shaft) Winchester flat blade screwdriver (antique - the only thing I had that was long enough to remove the bottom clamp)
5" Craftsman mini-channel locks - used to slip in from the right side and pry off the remainder of the old hose from the nipple

Parts:
New hose
1" OD pipe clamp (I reused the top clamp)

Procedure:
1. Remove the spark plug cover and the injector cover. My car had this 3" tube which I think is related to the turbo, which I had to pry to the side to access two cover bolts.

2. I carefully pried open slightly the Oetiker clamp at the top, because I planned poorly and only had one replacement clamp.

3. Pry off top end of hose, using care not to damage loosened Oetiker clamp.

4. Slide knife under intake manifold, and cut hose just above box nipple.

5. Pry open bottom Oetiker clamp. I needed the very long screwdriver, coming in under the left end of the manifold. Luckily the clamp completely sprung open.

6. Use mini channel locks from the side under the manifold to pull stub of hose up and off of nipple.

7. Slip 1" OD clamp over bottom of new hose, positioning screw head towards the right side of car. Push hose down between manifold ports and onto box nipple. Use hand from the side to seat properly. Tighten with screwdriver.

8. I slipped the old top clamp over the top end, and pressed into place, using dikes to "redo" the crimp. Not proper procedure, but it was my only option.

9. Replace covers.

Total time - about 1 hour.

Maybe this will help someone - I had to convince myself it was doable. Once I got started, I was convinced I would succeed. Even finding the crimp facing left, and not right, didn't concern me too much.