This is a silly thing; an itch. Go ahead and laugh at me, I don't mind

I was changing my cabin filter yesterday. The large, floppy-ish black panel that covers the cowl has an odd piece sticking out. See the picture. This is at the right side where the floppy panel abuts the fender. For the life of me I can't figure out why it is there nor figure out how to tuck it out of the way.

It's vaguely like one of those rubber boots used to protect a battery cable junction post. But there's nothing there to protect!



Any ideas? What am I missing?

Cheers
DD

 

Perhaps water diverter?

 

Are you sure that doesn't go under the cowl cover where the filter is?

 

Supposed to look like this. A hood seal

 

Ahhhhhh-HA!

Thank you.

Mine is so mangled that I don't think I would've figured that out. I'll apply a little heat and see if I can reposition it properly.

Thanks again

Cheers
DD

 

Wow, mine doesn't have that. Glad to know what it does.

 

Plus one for Scottjh9's correct reply.
Not a silly thing at all.
That small flap does need to be in its correct place so that the cabin air entry inlet sucks in only ambient air and not hot engine bay air as well as engine bay fumes.
If you remove the 'cowl' you'll note the cabin air intake system/enclosure under it. The cabin filter sits in a casing within this enclosure. This enclosure needs to also be sealed from hot engine air and fumes. It is sealed with surrounding strips of foam.
Its highly likely now that any S Type would need these foam seals replaced due to age (the foam quality on my X202 around this are was very poor). If not replaced the car will constantly be breathing in hot engine air and fumes.
Not a big job to fix.