Common s14 problem not known about?

[Streets_of_Fire]

Hello, I have an S14 and i was taking out the shifter to get familiar with the assembly for a future short shifter. anyway, after taking out the metal plate that holds the rubber pieces there, i noticed there was a bit of oil built up in there!where is this oil coming form? is this common? i dont want to be breathing in this stuff! (when i first got my 240sx, smoke would rise from out of the boot, and i never knew what it was so i zip tied the rubber part that goes around the neck of the shifter) how do u prevent this? i also checked out under my engine and noticed an oil leak from the engine, looks like its coming from the front seal, but how would it get all the way into the shifter and collect there?

[rogoman]

There are 3 boots. If you've got oil under the middle boot, then the bottom boot probably has a tear in it. Also the transmission may be overfull.

Here's a picture of the shifter assembly:

[Streets_of_Fire]

for me the liquid looks yellow (like oil) and feels like it when i wipe it off as well.

its all over the underside of the boots around the shift lever in the picture that go under the hide cover. is it oil? should i replace all the boots?