First, I don't know a heck of a lot about cars but this is my first owned and I am trying to learn as much as I can.

I was checking my car's air filter and I noticed that the hose coming from the filter housing has a ring/clamp close to the filter housing which has a rubber spearhead-looking part that serves to secure the ring/clamp. It looks like one side of the spearhead part is missing so the ring can not be secure around the hose.
Is this extremely important?

I have it secured with duct tape as of right now and the car runs ok.



Also, I don't know what this part is called or how much it runs for, if anyone could help with that as well?



Much appreciated :)

I have the same question as above that does not appear to have been answered.

I failed my emissions test over the weekend and I fear that this might be the cause. Very high hyrdocarbons, although, I still get around 34 mpg.

I am thinking of using some caulk to seal the hose into the case and then wrapping it with duct tape as well. Although, it is a very tight fit.

This is for a 1993 Paseo.

Any ideals or suggestions to the original question?

Thanks!