Metal piece underneath oil filler cap?

[zwoiks]

Hi,
I just bought a used 2001 V6 Limited Highlander and when I was about to put some oil in the crankcase I see this large metal piece right underneath the oil filler cap. Some kind of oil baffle? This is normal right? I did put some oil in the crankcase and it flows into the engine from the left hand side if you're facing the car. Very small gap but the oil does go into the engine. I poked it with my fingernail and it left indentations on it. I also rubbed the surface of it and some small particles, about the size of sand, came off and stuck to my finger. I got rid of all the small particles the best I could but I can't help thinking I'm sure I didn't get it all and when I poured oil into the crankcase it must have got some into the engine too. The texture was like sandpaper. Please tell me this is normal.


-Andrew

[MMitsock]

The deflector, baffle is normal, not sure about the stuff on it though.

[KLS]

You're feeling bits of gritty carbon that were created by drops of oil that baked there. If they come down, they'll get washed into the crankcase and captured in the oil filter before they get into the engine bearings.

[zwoiks]

Thanks for the replies!