Removing my thermostat housing today and notices this ,Does anybody know what this loose hose is near and under the fuel filter on my focus 1.6 tdci mark 3?

I noticed there is a small nipple slightly leaking underneath the fuel filter could it be from that ? It seems loose tho when I try to connect it so not sure ,

Any advice would be greatly appreciated before I replace 

Yes, it's the drain hose for the fuel filter.

There's a fake plug on top on the centre that's for draining any water out.  Make sure that's firmly tightened.  A small weep of diesel is acceptable but nothing more than that really.

Thanks mate so does this hose just stays loose or does it need to stay connected to the drain nipple ?

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

Yes, it's the drain hose for the fuel filter.

There's a fake plug on top on the centre that's for draining any water out.  Make sure that's firmly tightened.  A small weep of diesel is acceptable but nothing more than that really.

Thanks mate so does this hose just stay loose or does it need to stay connected to the drain nipple ?

11 hours ago, frankel01 said:

Thanks mate so does this hose just stay loose or does it need to stay connected to the drain nipple ?

It's meant to be connected at all times, that way you can drain off any water under the car instead of coating the gearbox with it.

They always fall off though.  And I don't know how often people actually drain filters on cars...I've never needed to.  Just change the filter at regular intervals.

Occasionally there are contaminated batches of diesel, and in that case the water trap is useful for draining without replacing, but as I say, it's never happened on any of mine so far.  I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks Tom ,it's due a fuel filter change anyway so I'll do that and see try and fix the hose in place 👍