Unknown Silicone Blob

[Tiggo]

Another mystery blob of silicone sealant on the small humps just aft of the screen bailers. The port side pulled off and revealed a small hole in the body. The right side is still in its place. I attached 2 pictures, the port side with the hole exposed and the starboard side with the sealant still in place. Should I just clean it up and apply another blob to cover the hole? What are the holes for? And why would they just put a blob of sealant on them? The holes are very small maybe 1/8th of an inch. TIA.

 

[Stealth800]

What is on the other side of the hole on the underside?

 

[Tiggo]

It looks like with eyeball measuring it could be the M8 bolts that go into the rear of the Riding plate. Although I don't think the plate is as wide as the location of the holes on the inside. I'll have to tape measure it later to be sure.
I also noticed one of the bolt heads is snapped off the pump grate. Is that worth trying to drill out and replace?

 

[mikidymac]

The silicone is for the rideplate or the intake grate and is factory installed.

Yes, you need to fix the broken bolt. There is quite a bit of force on the intake grate and the can break off with bolts missing.

 

[Tiggo]

Okay, I'll reapply the silicone. I guess I'll try a bolt extractor first. Then if that doesn't work...just drill it out? Also, when looking up into the grate, I noticed the driveshaft has some surface rust...normal?

 

[mikidymac]

Yes, a little rust on the shaft is normal.