Plastic pipe coming from water pump? (320 ce w124)

[Turnerco]

just changed a water pump on a w124 320ce (m104) for the first time (not running yet) on re-assemple noticed a black plastic pipe from the old water pump that is ment to hang down from the water pump but i cant find were it goes after that .. does it just hang down and what is it for ?

I poored water through the old water pump..and water never came out of this hole

 

[grober]

I think its probably drain hole to allow any water that gets forced past the pump shaft seal under pressure to drain away. Difficult to tell without seeing it.

 

[Dieselman]

It is such a drain pipe, to keep water away from the crank pulley and auxiliary belt.

 

[Turnerco]

Thanks for the reply guys. that makes sence. although now I have the water pump on the car withou this pipe (still waiting for new tensioner) so I might be able to squease it back on as im hoping that to remove the water pump to fit this would maybe not be worth it.. need to have a look at this tomorrow