Just had a bunch of engine seals replaced, then read about the infamous flame trap. I will bet that it has seldom if ever been checked. On the '90 240, the flame trap is located in the flared end of the crankcase vent hose down between #3 & #4 intake manifold pipes, underneath the fuel rail. Connects to a plastic T fitting, with one going hose down to the flame trap base attached to the engine block below, and another 5 mm line up over and back to the manifold.

I cannot get my fingers around this thing, can it actually be disconnected and checked by a human with a normal size hand with 5 fingers? What if the hose going down to the flame trap base is bad, breaks, or comes off, it looks like that hose could never be accessed from above. So is the trick to disconnect the fuel injectors and fuel rail to better expose and access the flame trap & vent hoses? Can the job be done with long nose pliers? Any tips are appreciated for the not so dexterous not so experienced mechanic!

(PS: When I asked the local Volve dealer about this, I got a scary answer, so would like to leave the "big jobs" for them, and if possible the "small jobs" for me.)