thanks for the replies and consideration so far.

i don't like putting crap back into the engine either, but when i removed the oil separator and filter and hoses there was no crap in them.

the engine doesn't really breath through there when it's running - it just smokes out of the exhaust

i don't want to replace all the breather system on what is a std engine if i don't have to. i just wonder if the missing one way valve and cracked old hoses can case pressurisation somewhere in the engine which pushes oil somewhere during idle that then burns when revved.

Azrael, did you ever stop your escos from smoking? i was following your sad story and it sounds very mch like what i have with this car. was it your turbo for sure? i think it can't be the turbo because we stopped the oil flow to the turbo and it still smokes.