mystery part

I was under my truck today, then this fell on me. It's from the starter. The rubber was all dried up and brittle, hence why it broke off





What is it? what is its purpose? Looks like a breather to me....

anyway, anyone has a part number for this? or know where I can get one?

thanks

 

I think that is a one way vent.

 

It lets any moisture out or allows air in or out as the starter spins.

Looks like
28199-74110 Protector, Dust Starter

The same part is used on starters on many models. I'm not sure how important it really is. Probably more important if you drive in rain a lot and get water splashing up.

 

yeah, makes sense

thank you for your replies

 

It's a teet... that's where milk is from. Late at night when your sleeping a guy with a bucket show up and milks the starter.

 

That part is a rubber breather. When I reinstalled my starter I noticed that I had forgotten to put it back in, so I removed the starter and installed the breather. Without it the starter has a hole in it. What with all the off-roading I do, I didn't want anything getting into the starter and mucking it up, being as it is a bitch to remove and reinstall.