Isn't that a heat shield over the plug? Maybe part of the COP assembly that has broken loose? These may be aftermarket COPs.
It is basically a long thin cylinder of metal with a tapered top, surrounding the plug.
I bet you can grab that with needle nosed pilers, give it a yank, and out it...
Here's how you fix this annoying cheap ass POS SOB once and for all!!!
1. You need some primer and then this type of paint:
http://www.vhtpaint.com/high-heat/vht-wrinkle-plus-coatings
2. Yank all the shit off that came from Ford down to the bare plastic, and throw the leather and other shit...
Very sorry to bring this old thread up again, but mine started doing it again after the contact cement repair. I have yanked mine off down to the plastic, but have the shit left on the plastic from the glue the factory used as shown in this picture.
What can I use to take this shit off...