Ok, I just finished this completely and here's my write up. Hopefully it will save the next guy some time. The bottom line is I had to unbolt the AOS first so I could put a socket on the front most intake manifold bolt (not mentioned in other AOS write ups I saw). And you need to get the two AOS bolts from the bottom.
[update 3/14/2015] I did it again today 'cause the AOS failed totally after 1,000 miles (24" H2O crankcase vacuum). I followed the same steps and was able to do it in 4hrs this time including a 15min break. Crankcase vacuum is at a nice 4~5" H2O now.
AOS removal on a ’03 Carrera Coupe manual transmission
1. Disconnect MAF and remove the airbox, serpentine belt, throttle body, and front intake plenum
2. Push the left rubber sleeve all the way to the left, then wiggle the plenum out
3. Remove the alternator (maybe optional but I removed it to get more room)
4. Remove the vacuum line to the intake plenum and the one to the rear reasonator actuator
5. Remove the vacuum elbow and changeover valve on the left intake manifold
6. Disconnect the brake booster vacuum line from the intake manifold
7. Remove the O2 sensor wires from their guiding rails or clips
8. Lower the engine (jack at its strongest point) till it’s resting on the rear subframe cross member and leave the jack there to support it
9. Disconnect the lower AOS vent hose using BOTH HANDS from the bottom
10. Move the vent line out of the way so it’s not blocking the rear AOS 5mm allen head bolt
11. Remove the rear AOS 5mm allen head bolt using a mini-ratchet
12. Remove the front AOS 5mm allen head bolt (a mini-ratchet with a handle that bends downward)
13. Loosen and move the hose clamp on the hose (away from the AOS) that connects to the very bottom of the AOS
14. Unseat the AOS and push it a little toward the front of the car so you can put a socket on the front most intake manifold bolt (otherwise it’s blocking that bolt)
15. Remove the the front most intake runner bolt, then the remaining 5 intake manifold bolts
16. Seperate the rear plenum and remove it
17. Siphon the coolant from coolant reservoir
18. Disconnect the vertical coolant hose between the alternator and the power steering pump (so you can remove the intake manifold from the car)
19. Remove the left intake manifold
20. Disconnect the upper AOS vent hose
21. Remove the 2 coolant lines from the AOS
22. Remove AOS from the engine compartment
AOS reinstall
Reverse of the above.
After you connect the coolant lines to the AOS and the vertical coolant hose between the alternator and the power steering pump, you can choose to refill the coolant at this point and do a pressure test (before refilling coolant) to 18 PSIG and see if there’s a any leak at the AOS and the coolant line when things are still apart
If you use new o-rings on the AOS vent hoses, apply some o-ring grease on them. That will prevent the dry o-rings from being crushed when inserting into the AOS.
Torque the intake manifold bolts to 7.5 ftlb
To put the rear AOS allen head bolt in place, you need to manipulate the bolt with BOTH HANDS and be careful not to drop the bolt on the cavities of the engine. It can be very difficult to retrieve the bolt.
Image courtesy of Atlanta Porsche Parts.