What is this thing (fell from engine bay) (1 Viewer)

[Pipewhiner]

Negative. See above.

Makes sense, thanks Kurt. Is it something that should be replaced is the important question?

 

[bhakjdlmn1]

@cruiseroutfit 's reply from the SQOD thread:

Great question. I suspect that cover keeps debris out of the bearing so while it may not mean immediate failure, it might certainly lead to premature failure

I guess I'll poke around and see if it's accessible from the top. Odd that it's simply pressed in with no securing bolt?

 

[peneumbra2]

It's part of the clutch mechanism for the wheelbase adjustment disc.

 

[bhakjdlmn1]

Following up: I replaced my belt, tensioner, and idler a few weeks ago (2015 at 70k) since I couldn't isolate an intermittent squeaking noise. Belt looked OK, both the tensioner and idler had a little bearing play. Just as Kurt said, it's a cover for the tensioner pivot. As far as I can tell, it doesn't affect the pulley itself, just keeps dirt out of the pivot.