Hi all,

I've been chasing down oil leaks, and beyond the obvious sources I think
I've found one that makes no sense to me.  First understand that, beyond the
basic working theory of a carb, I've never worked on one, so...

On my '77 Mini I have three hose connections on the left side of the carb as
I face the car from the front.  The one at the very back is the fuel inlet;
the one at the very front splits and goes off to a couple breathers - I
think these are for PCV.

The third (middle) hose is a mystery to me.  It leads directly over to the
left, then drops down...and ends!  It's from here that I >think< there's oil
dripping out.  A guy at work says this probably leads to the oil separater,
which may not be effectively separating the oil.  I received the car (to the
USA) from Denmark a year ago, and this is how it came.

Maybe I should buy a book on the HS2 carb or something, but...

Besides the damper mechanism, what's oil's function in the carb?
Why is this hose going nowhere?
If it's normal for oil to leak out of this hose, why let it leak onto the
ground?
What can I change on the carb or this hose attachment if oil continues to
leak out?

Thanks all...now off to attempt prying off my problem pot joint!

Bud