so ive been having ignition issues , so i pulled my starter and the outside is covered in what looks like oil, but its not liquid kinda like a paste , anyone? is this normal? should i just clean my starter, the hole it goes into, and put it back?

 

like... Grease?

 

No it is not normal. Yes clean your starter and put it back, then find and fix the oil leak.

If you mean the out side of the starter...the painted black area...then it is engine oil leaking from above it. Messy oil filter change, or the pedestal o rings, or maybe the rear oil cooler line???

If you mean the part that goes into the bell housing is covered with oil, it is either engine oil from the rear seal, gear oil from the front seal of the tranny, or ATF is you have an auto.

 

I've had black paste looking dirt on the inside of my starter also. I just picked up a new one.

 

It's probably tranny fluid and dirt mixed together over the years.

I found the same thing in my tranny when i dropped it with the motor. It looked like black sludge all over the bell housing. I just replaced the seals on the front and back. I think they were $5-10 for the pair from black dragon automotive. If you're going to take the time to drop the transmission to replace the front one you might as well do the back one. BTW the tranny fluid will come out the back when you take out the driveshaft so you might want to get more tranny fluid as well.

 

still not running huh..i can swing by this week sometime and give it a good look over and help ya out..let me kno