Heh, I used to do all my own engine work, servicing, back when cars were---different. I don't understand half of what's in there any more, and a lot of it needs a computer, anyway. Your description of the engine compartment reminds me of my old Fiesta, which I described as having been designed like a chinese puzzle box. Not quite as bad as my friend in college's Austin Marina, where we had to remove half the stuff under the hood to change the spark plugs, but close. You had to remove unrelated pieces in a precise order, on both. (On the other hand, there were luxury cars in the '60's where they had to drop the engine to change the oil.) No, I don't work on my own car any more.