if it leaks air there then it's no good. if not then probably just bad casting? hard to see what your showing in the pictures.

 

Just a shield to reduce noise from the air intake. Remove it and the I5 will sound more powerful.

 

The intake shield is multi-purpose as an insulator. Cold air intakes bring cooler air into your engine and combustion chamber. In doing so, cold air intakes boost engine power and efficiency. In this way, the cold air intake keeps the outside air cool relative to the engine environment, allowing for better combustion reactions.