I’ve been using my A1 for more than a year, and I think the blob was the result of the dust that accumulated from not cleaning the fans. Both of the fans were melted, eddy sensor ripped and heating block destroyed 
Cleaned it up and yeah gonna order a replacement assembly
Hey @samca cannot say much except … yuck
Happened to us all, Luckly parts are pretty readily available. Surprised about the eddy sensor, does not usually get quite that deep into it.
I had a blob once but luckily it peeled off without damage.
Sadly I had to buy the full assembly, I wish bbl could sell the eddy sensor separately
really, I swear I got one at one time….
