Herpstat temperature probes?

So I noticed some suddenly low temp readings on my 5 tub (V-70) rack tonight so I went investigating. I had originally taped the probe down under the top tub (I know I've been meaning to move it to the middle of the rack for a while now), however when I pulled the top tub and looked in I could see the probe had broken loose and was no longer in contact with the heat tape. So my thought was the loose probe was causing the low temp readings but then I though wouldn't a free floating probe be reading ambient temperature and the Herpstat would be sending too much current giving me higher temps in the rack and not lower? I am using a IR temp gun BTW. So I decided to relocate the probe to the middle of the rack since I was in there and when I felt the probe it was really sticky, more than I would have though it ever would have been from the tape. Then I squeezed the probe and noticed it felt soft, IIRC they normally felt pretty rigid. (please no jokes, LOL)
My question is, has anyone had a temp probe on a Herpstat go bad before and when they do is there a liquid inside that could come out? I'll be checking the temps again later to see if they come up with the probe in the new location and in the meantime I'll order a few replacement probes just in case.