diegoX - Great job! Way to stick with it despite some frustrations!
Just for completeness (and for anyone who sees this thread in the future), the torque for the 3 M8x27 throttle valve screws is 19 Nm. I could not find a value for the four screws that connect the EGR valve to intake manifold. I suspect they are also M8x27 thread and have the same torque value, but do not know for certain.
Also, the heater element hose you asked about in post # 150 is part # 5 in
this Realoem link. It can be purchased from ECS tuning for $75 (
the link is here). A lot of money if all you need is a clip, but as someone else pointed out, the hose can deteriorate and be a source of potential vacuum leak.
I did not have any of the problems you had with the water pump gasket. Cannot remember my precise technique, but I think I just used one of the bolts to keep the gasket in position. Everything fell into place without a struggle - just lucky I guess. Your technique seems to be a good one - I'll put it into the memory bank in case I come across a similar situation in the future.
Last but not least, the hook like part of the hard coolant pipe has nothing attached to it on my car either.
Again, congrats on the perseverance. Hope the code p2457 is gone and stays away!