300e airbox question
 

I was just examining the airbox on my no-start 300e and I was curious what the tube on the top of the airbox was for, the one that connects to the engine head and then to the airbox. Also, inside the airbox there was a patch of really thick/dense oil. Is that normal?

Finally, bronze circle that moves up and down and is attached to the fuel distributor is somewhat greased up on top/around the opening. Should that be the case as well?

Also, is it a major deal if one of the mount points for the airbox is broken? Its one of the two that attaches to the engine and is closer to the firewall.