I took a look at my flame trap today to see how it was doing. Well the flame trap was in good shape but I found a few other problems. The first is that the “o” ring seems to be missing from the trap housing and I was wondering if this could cause trap housing to not fit tightly. BTW I found a good crusting of gunk in the housing and cleaned it out. I feels like it has a lot of wiggle room. Secondly the smaller of the two hoses on the part that holds the flame trap has a small hole in it. Where do this hose go? How easy is it to replace?

Thanks

Aaron 1997 854 n/a

Find or get a new O-ring. You'll need it for proper fitting. When I replaced my flame trap for the first time after 87k (should be done every 20k according to Bay13), I too encountered gunk and a crack in the smaller hose. I taped it with a hose bandage, thinking it should be all right, until I started smelling a burnt odor entering the vent whenever I was on idle. Took it to my mechanic, and he replaced it for me for $34.50. It's known as the PCV Vacuum Hose. Can't tell you where it originates exactly, and the difficulty rating of replacing it. I take it isn't much based on the charge by my mechanic, but ask around. Good luck.

Have a look under the flame trap with a flashlight to see if the
O-ring was dropped down into the engine. That has happened to me
after car was serviced (it was on top of the transmission). Who knows,
you might get lucky.

Without the o-ring the fit is very loose.

Not sure about the small hole question.