What should the magnet look like?

[subtlt]

I dropped the pan to change the filter and fluid today. This is on a 40K (questionable) mile car I just got. The magnet appeared to have 1/8" long "stalactites" (or is that stalagmites?) of dust coming off of it. It also had a couple of small copper shavings maybe 1/4" long by 1/64". I popped out the magent and wiped off all the guck, then promptly FORGOT to put it back in the pan <*DOH*>.

The car will see 3000 easy miles or so before next spring when I would normally do it again.

Two questions:

How much guck on the magnet is "acceptable" ? Should I be concerned?

Do I have to drop the pan again to put the magnet back in, or could I put it on the outside for the winter?

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[WE4]

Two questions:

How much guck on the magnet is "acceptable" ? Should I be concerned?

Do I have to drop the pan again to put the magnet back in, or could I put it on the outside for the winter?


Your "gunk" is fine. No biggie there. But in the spring ck it carefully.

And yes, for the winter you should be fine. Just hope it is still hanging on in the spring.

 

[subtlt]

Thanks!

Thanks Bruce! Glad to hear the gunk is normal. I'll slip the magnet back in next Spring.