What is this dangling hose on front of my engine?

[hamlet101]

See picture:

Was this hose supposed to be connected to anything? It must just be flapping about while I'm driving.

I am getting spots of oil on my drive, and the front of the engine looks very dirty with oil, but it doesn't seem to need topping up between changes.

[caprixpack]

Drain tube from the fuel filter housing.

[Welly]

I'd be more concerned about that diesel leak!

[hamlet101]

so this hose is supposed to be there, swinging in the breeze? Could it actually be a diesel leak from the filter leaving spots on my drive, instead of oil then? Wondering if there is an easy way to tell, if i leave some paper under the car one night.

[caprixpack]

That's how it is on mine, seems a bit half arsed but I guess that's how they are. It might be worth just checking that the bleed screw is tight, if there's diesel in the tube it's most likely leaking.

[Welly]

Mine used to leak from the filter housing drain off (plastic thumbwheel plug at the bottom) be careful not to murder the thing tight it might break. You can open it carefully and drain the diesel into a container then clean and check the plug's o-ring and carefully wind it back in reasonably tight by hand.

Turn on the ignition a few times without starting the engine and this will refill the filter with fuel.

Trouble with diesel leaks is they spread!