I am in the UK. I recently removed the car battery and I noticed a rubber pipe behind it with one end not connected to anything. The following 2 images show the end of the pipe in the engine compartment with a red arrow pointing to it -

Name: photo1.jpg Views: 1218 Size: 90.8 KB

Name: photo2.jpg Views: 1318 Size: 96.5 KB

The other end of the pipe is connected to a lower part of the engine below the battery shown in the following image also with a red arrow -

Name: photo3.jpg Views: 1486 Size: 93.3 KB

I am unsure how long it has been like this as I have removed the battery before but maybe I just didn't notice the pipe was disconnected. The warning light for the engine being too hot has been showing lately and I am unsure if this pipe is related to it or if I just need the coolant topped up.

I have checked all around the area of the pipe and can see nowhere that it should be connected to. Does anyone know what the purpose of the pipe would be and where the loose end should be connected? Sorry but my knowledge of car engines is limited!