2003 Montero Sport 3.5L Valve Cover Baffles
 

Hi, just joined so I could pose this question I have about the valve cover baffles on my 03 sport (3.5L), as I can't seem to find any info about them. They look like they're press-fitted on. Has anyone ever taken them off to clean under them? It looks like they can be pried off, but I didn't want to start butchering them if I was wrong.

To give some context, I foolishly used coarse grit sandpaper while I was cleaning the rust off of them, both inside and out. I used compressed air to blow away the debris while I went along, but it slipped my mind that some of that sand would undoubtedly make its way up under the baffle. Once I realized, I stuck the air gun nozzle up under it and tried to blow it out. Some came out, but I'm worried that there may still be some left.