Metal flakes on crankshaft position sensor

In the process of replacing my crankshaft position sensor currently, when i pulled it out i noticed some metal shavings on the end of the sensor. its the 2tr-fe 2.7 and the sensor goes into the side of the timing cover behind the ac compressor. Is this an immediate concern where i should take off the cover and replace my timing chain/belt and anything else thats worn? or is this a common thing that happens and i shouldn't worry?

 

Looks like you have some oil sludge built up.
Have you changed the oil on schedule?

How many miles on the engine?
Why were you replacing the sensor?
Did you have a code?

Those metal flakes will cause a signal issue with the sensor.
Looks like you may need a timing chain replacement.

 

Those flakes on the tip of the sensor look like rust flakes, are you sure it didn't just grab them off of something on the way out?

 

i changed the oil maybe 1k kilometres ago, didn't notice any metal in it. Truck has around 287k I've only owned it for the last 15-20k. My truck was having trouble starting sometimes and the other day i went to drive it and it wouldn't rev past 2.5k, checked the codes and had one for the crankshaft position sensor and a code for random misfires and misfire in cyl 1&2 so i got a new sensor to put in

 

yes it very well could have, i was more worried about the build up of metal flakes and oil at the bottom part of the metal on the sensor

 

I'm not an expert, but at minimum I'd pull the timing and valve covers, and the oil pan, to look for other symptoms of catastrophic engine wear.

This is an alarming amount of metal debris... in particular, the build-up of fine ferromagnetic material nearer the base, as you mentioned.

I fear that the crank sensor might be a symptom, not the underlying problem.