Oil Filler Hose

All

I was checking out my engine after I got my car today. I noticed this black sort of mesh hose comning off the enginee filler area. I have attached a pic. I followed the hose just to see where it went and it looks like it is just thread through to the bottome of the car and hangs out there unconnected. Is this some sort of breather hose or a major issue I need to get fixed?

Thanks and see pic.

It's just a breather. I would put a filter on the end of it so it doesn't introduce dirt into the motor.

I will absolutely do so!

No, don't put anything over the end of it. Check to see that it "empties" into an open area and put a baloney slice at the end with the opening facing rearwards and secure it in place with a zip-tie.

That hose, in it's current configuration, is meant to act as a draft tube or road tube. The air rushing over the slice creates a bernoulli effect and sucks the oil vapor/blow by out of the crankcase. It'll work without the slice, but not quite as effectively.

A filter over the end of the hose will negate the whole thing and turn it into a simple crankcase breather, not nearly as effective as what you have already.

On my old vw engine, that hose went up to the carb breather area and got injested by the engine.

Old school road tube. My understanding is that Porsche did this until forced to route into the carb. To increase breathing in my car, I followed Bill Demeter's example and, in addition to the hose to the carb, I have two road tubes off of the top front of the valve covers leading up and over the axels.

All VW engines I've seen have a rubber vented nipple on end (or evidence one had been there).

http://classicvw.org/gallery2/v/partsbook/Parts-book-pictures-only/breather.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

That looks like a type 3 diagram.

Yep, it's this doohickie. There's one on my car.
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C16-311-541

I think that those little black rubber condoms went on the bottom of the down tube on the oil filler head attached to the gen/alt stand. Those tubes have a small hole drilled in them towards the bottom and won't work as a road tube unless the hole is filled, the tube extended and that rubber tip removed.

But, as long as you don't live in California, do it, wouldn't hurt a bit.