Scary suprise while adding oil-what is this?!?!

Hi there. I own a 2000 Intrigue which just had it's first oil change down since coming to me. Problem is, the shop I took it to only added 5qts of oil (doesn't it even say 6qts in the manual?!), so I bought a quart to top it off. I went to pour in the oil and noticed a metal (aluminum) plate covering what I assume is the chain for the overhead cam(?). This plate had deep scratches on it, and was bent down to the point that it touched the chain! The chain had eaten into the plate somewhat, and by heat and friction had worn away and curled up a sliver of the plate about an inch long by 1/8 wide. I removed what I could of that area with a pliers (don't want that shard of metal going for a joy ride through my cylinders), but couldn't move this plate out of contact with the chain. My question is, I guess, what the heck is this, and do I need to make this an emergency priority to take to the shop and borrow the wife's car for a day or two? Any input would be much appreciated! Happy motoring!

Tom C

What engine is this??

I went and looked at mine, I see the plate, it has the corner bent up, probably to protect the chain if someone tried to add oil with the engine running?? I'm guessing that the metal piece may be part of the valve cover? If it was my car I'd pull the valve cover off and have a look. You really don't want to have a problem with the chains on this engine!

Thanks for the speedy replies. This is the 3.5L enging. I don't know about pulling off valve covers...not something I'm so afraid to do on my own, but we no longer have a house with a garage of our own (new job, moved into an apartment in a new town). I was thinking that, too, about the plate covering the chain--maybe it's a protection thing, or maybe it is a splash plate so any oil thrown off the chain at the top of its cycle hits this plate and drains back into the engine. I suppose I take it back to the shop and have them give it a go. Still looking for any ideas as to what I should tell them though (and then there's the voice in the back of my head saying one of these guys is probably the reason I'm having this problem in the first place!). Keep em coming guys and gals!

I have the guard (?) on my 3.5. too. Do you suppose yours was damaged by forcing a funnel into the filler neck for oil changes? Perhaps at a jiffylube sort of place they forced a hard metal filler tube into the opening to add oil.

Busboy4 has probably hit the nail on the head. That's exactly the reason I do all my own work! I have a major trust issue leaving my cars with anyone. (I've seen, and worked with, too many hack mechanics).

Most dealership mechanics are pretty good, but there's usually 1 or 2 at most dealers that you might not want working on your car.

As far as the quick oil change places....... they used to create a lot of work for us, stripped oil plugs and pans, engines that were run without oil, etc.

Not trying to ruffle any feathers, just an observation from being in the business. :)