Hello all, long time listener, first time caller.

The other day I started getting some foul smoke in the cabin, and today confirmed it was coming from the engine and just getting sucked into the cabin air intake. I've identified what looks like a tube coming out from the HVAC system into the engine bay, and it's dripping onto a hot part of the engine (exhaust I think) and making the smoke. I can't see any kind of loose hose or connector that should be attached there. Can you look at the attached photo and help me identify what's missing? I've circled the tube in yellow in both photos.

I've been googling all day to try to find an image or diagram of this area in the engine, but no luck, so any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

 

I forgot to mention, it's a 2007 XLT 2.3L, fwiw.

 

That's the evaporator drain for your A/C unit, it's supposed to drip water when the A/C is being used.

It's just water coming out, if it's dripping onto the exhaust it would just turn to steam, shouldn't have any smell at all.

 

Also, that must not be a picture of your engine compartment, the engine in your picture is a V-6.

 

I guess I've still got a lot to learn about this truck

If there's something other than water coming out of the evaporator drain, I've probably got more problems than just a disconnected hose, eh? Probably worth taking it to a shop that can sort the heater / AC issue that's causing the smoke in the cabin.