Is this right regarding maf or am I dumb?

[Nick Aaron]

I cleaned the maf yesterday as I always do. I noticed there's a metal plate like thing with two torx acrews covering it you remove so you can spray it. Is this plate supposed to be on here at all times or is it blocking MAF airflow? I've noticed FORD's seem to have it while other cars don't always?

https://www.carparts.com/details/Fo...Vw5-zCh3lyQUSEAQYAiABEgL1O_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Go there and click on first picture to see what I mean.

 

[Nick Aaron]

^^??

 

[me32]

It suppose to be there.

 

[Nick Aaron]

I actually figured it was, but is it to calibrate? I took it off and tried it and the car worked, just got real rich. Fuel trims pegged but grams /s flow seemed higher.