need some help with my 190e 16v
 

3055.1

okay, what's this? just as i was pulling into my apartment, my engine stalled. i tried to start it back up and it would crank but it didn't fire up. i have had this car for the last 30,000 miles and it has never stalled or failed to start. i let it sit a while and tried again, still wouldn't start. next i tried to start it while tapping the throttle a few times while it cranked. with some hesitation it started and everything runs fine. i drove it around and shut if off and started it again without any problem. i have noticed that my fuel pump makes a lot of noise. tonight it wasn't making any more noise than before, but it is rather loud. it makes a hissing. do i need a new fuel pump? is the infamous fuel pump relay my problem? any help will be greatly appreciated.

also, take a look at the attached pic. this part fell off my car friday while i was driving about 60mph. i think it came from my car anyway. i was driving and i felt it hit the floorboard, then saw it in my mirror bouncing down the road after me? does anyone know what it is? is it important?

The picture is sure blurry. I can't see a thing.