hose disconnected laying on engine???

Hi all, a funny smell was coming from my engine today. So I opened the hood and found a hose lying on top of the alternator. The smell was caused by the alt belt rubbing against the mystery hose. The hose is black, 3/8" thick, about 18" long, and is plugged with a bolt screwed into one end. It has UPC 078698161617 written on it. Here's a pic:
http://picasaweb.google.com/twilborn71/Hose02?authkey=Gv1sRgCNTGw5mGjP_7GA#55440445857363 14194

I got the car smog tested 2 weeks ago. Is this some kind of test hose that a careless mechanic left behind?

Your help is greatly appreciated as I'm in the mountains far away from a mechanic.

Tom

It looks like someone was trying to block a vacuum leak.
How is the van running?
Is there any diagnostic trouble codes?

3/8" inside diameter would be the size for the power steering line.
I wonder if it is left from changing the power steering fluid?
Of course, if it is from the power steering system, I'm sure you would have noticed it.
However, someone may have used it in the fluid change process.
Maybe I am wrong, but it looks like there is some fluid, oil or ATF, etc on it?

Smog testing usually only involves connecting to the computer port (OBDII port), and a test of the gasoline cap and/or tank and a visual look over.
I cannot think of anything that would involve messing with any hoses in the engine compartment.

Another place to look would be to verify that the hose to the PCV valve in the front valve cover is in place, as well as the breather line in the rear valve cover.

I cannot think of any vaccum line that size that would be missing from your engine, and that includes the PCV and breather lines, that would not cause serious idle issues and/or a Check Engine Light (CEL).
For this reason, I am leaning, as you seem to be, to something used in a repair/test process.

Thank you all very much for your advice. The minivan runs great -- no noticeable change in performance. Also, there are no warning lights on.

The hose did have a little fluid in it. ATF I'm guessing because it had a reddish tint, but hard to tell because there was so little and it was dirty.

The long bolt (3") screwed into one end of the hose is a real mystery to me. It looks like a special bolt because the bottom inch is not threaded. If you have any other advice, please let me know.

Thanks again,
Tom

Did you have the power steering system flushed out?
A Technician could of been working on two cars, and lost his hose.