Where are you in Canada? Edit: I see Toronto below. Toronto gets cold enough that that amount of paste could freeze and cause a problem.

The separator is the device shown in your photos.

If there is no paste under the valve cover, then there is less benefit to the hot oil change, but I would still do one myself. Just one.

I wouldn't use throttle body cleaner or compressed air. Just use a rag and solvent.

Do not warm up the vehicle idling in the driveway. That doesn't warm it up and is much worse for it. As soon as you have oil pressure (about 10 seconds) and it is safe to drive (windows not iced up) start driving, gently. The damage and wear from operating the engine cold is related to how long you operate it cold, so the faster you warm it up the better it is for the engine. Just don't use any high revs, or high loads. By getting it good and hot, I mean driving it long enough and with sufficient load that you burn off the condensation that occurs naturally in the crankcase. This needs to be done regularly enough (weekly or monthly) so that it doesn't build up over time, as yours has. Or plan to clean it out regularly, which is a PITA.

If I was storing the vehicle for the winter I would do so with clean oil in it.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
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