What is this thing attached to the engine?

[z3mee]

2002 Z3 Roadster 2.5L

I noticed a tiny puddle under my car this morning of red fluid on the floor.

Took a few photos tonight and traced the leak to this hose in the photo below.

The first photo shows end 1 of the hose attached somewhere deep near the engine.
The second and third photo show end 2 and what it is connected to.

Anyone know what this thing is? Replacing that seems like it will be fun with how tight the space is

 

[Delk]

That should be the oil supply to the vanos unit. It will be black engine oil. Red fluid will most likely be power steering from somewhere else.

 

[z3mee]

I guess I should have verified the color of the liquid on the hose with a Q-Tip or something but it's really tight in there.
The hose in photo 1 was wet so I assumed it was related to the mysterious red fluid puddle sitting on the engine.

Time to dig around some more

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[hard top]

@t-tony might have an idea or two, I have tagged him so he should respond some time today.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Vanos solenoid housing ie, it contains the vanos solenoid

 

[Lee]

This is the high pressure oil line that operates the Vanos unit. 100Bar goes through at hose.

 

[Nodzed]

If its red fluid its not from the vanos. It will be power steering oil.

 

[t-tony]

You can check it's not engine oil by pulling the dipstick and comparing the two oils.

Tony.