My experience lately is the exact opposite. Tossed and repaired a couple units with leaking Duracells. Best plan I suppose is pull the batteries out if anything you don't use regularly.

You blow it. You are blowing into the wrong end. Blow into the end that has the unsupported side of the reed(s).

Most of that info is in the install manuals. Those are often available online as well. Pick one, check that manual and I can try and answer any more specific questions.

Your code may be different. I have to leave 2' in front for servicing. You also need a combustion air supply for a gas heater in an enclosed space.

My SS present year before last came from across the pond. It got opened for inspection several times along the way, but arrived safely. If there were any duties involved, my Santa handled it in such a way that I never knew that they existed. You make me even more grateful to that very generous Santa.

I have not had an out-of-country recipient yet, so these fees never really occurred to me. My thanks for pointing this out. It is very much appreciated for the future.

if it was solvent based contact cement new cement will activate the old also. Just add more.

Methylene chloride strippers will work best. Klean-Strip premium is pricy but the best that I have tried. It's quite toxic so work outside and wear good protection. link to msds here. It's a gel so it needs to be scraped of when spent. A plastic scraper or putty knife works well. Scrape it off as soon as it stops bubbling. I think that HD still carries it.

Why don't you measure it?

Sorry, having trouble sending trivet photo from Picasa. Don't know what the trouble is.

I believe you are describing a "captured" bolt.