I've been trying to figure out what this small canister is. I found it one day while I was changing the starter, and I didn't know what it was so I plugged it with a hex bolt.

If anyone could help, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

That is your charcoal cannister, captures gas fumes from the tank and lets the engine suck them in and burn them. The line you plugged is the vent line that lets fresh air into the cannister to replace the fumes that get sucked into the engine:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...ne_Pix/19.html

 

Wow, I better go unplug that. So my second question is do I simply leave that line hanging?

 

Yep, that is what a vent line does, lets in fresh air to keep from pulling a vacuum in the cannister and in your gas tank (where a high vacuum could crush it).

 

Oh, I understand pretty clearly.

Thanks.

 

could that canister become clogged and cause a miss?