Small amount of metal flakes on camshaft sensor

[Blackdr16]

For those who have done a camshaft sensor replacement, is this normal? Backstory- Recently had an issue with my 98 starting rough one night. After research I figured it was probably cam sensor since it smoothed out and only happened once since then. Tonight I replaced the camshaft sensor and the old one had a small amount of metal shavings on it. When I say small I mean about 1/4 of the sensor end had some grey shavings on it. (Not chunks, very very small shavings) Question being, is this somewhat normal? 140,000 on it and sensor was original. I wish I had taken a pic but had already wiped my finger on it when I thought about it. No ticking or any other issues, oil pressure is good.

 

[rubydist]

I would not worry. The magnet will pick up small metal flakes from anywhere, and there are plenty of places to get little pieces of ferrous material floating around, such as metallic brake pads, rotors, etc.

 

[Blackdr16]

Thanks! It occurred to me this morning that it could have been from the day the cams were welded, everything was open for awhile and would have been pretty easy to get a little of the particles stuck to the sensor