Thanks for the notes.

That lower hose was interesting. Thank god it was such a piece of crap. The oil trap box just pulled right off it. I started to mess around with loosening the screw clamp that connects it to the block, but then wised up and just grabbed a set of pliers, snatched onto the hose and yanked it off the block. I don't know about your car, but mine was set up with the screw heads facing the firewall. I found myself cursing a swedish assembly line worker who i'd never met before. the new design looks a lot smarter. does it require any sort of clamps to fasten?

two upsides to this whole fiasco:
1. my dealer actually has the best price anywhere on oil traps: $32!
2. I'm going to replace the knock sensor while i'm in there. it's not broken, but it's $40 worth of insurance that I'll never have to see that side of my engine block ever again.

two points of procedure:
1. While I was at the dealer, the parts guys told me that their techs don't go in from the front. They pull the intake manifold to get at the oil trap from above. he said you just have to be careful with the gaskets.
2. there's an easy equation to handle the bolts on the oil box: 10mm socket + swivel u-joint adapter + 10-inch extension = turning wrench where your alternator used to be.