Is it OK to remove foam pad behind right headlight assembly?
 

Behind the right headlight assembly, there is foam pad attached to metal.

The foam is supposed to be covered by vinyl. But the vinyl is torn, and the foam inside is exposed.

I think that exposed foam holds moisture and made the metal rust severely.
So I removed the pad.

My concern is whether some engine part behind the right headlight (there are turbo stuff there) makes much heat and melts the plastic headlight case, if the foam pad is missing.

Vinyl covered foam is generally a vibration damper, they are probably using this to stop the lights from vibrating at idle. I highly doubt they put it there to insulate it from heat, if anything the headlight would be hotter than any surrounding components from the motor. Odds are they did it to help the life of the bulbs.