Is the inside of my winch supposed to look like this?

Hey, guys.

I could use some insight from the winch guru's among us.

I pulled the clutch cover off my Rugged Ridge 8.5 to rotate the lever in anticipation of my ARB bumper install.

Anyways, I found the inside of the winch is filled with a thick, sludge-like goo. This stuff is dense. I realize the mechanism is supposed to be greased, but is this a sign that I might've gotten some water in the winch? Or is it supposed to look like this?

 

Bump.

 

Did you buy this winch new ??

Hard to tell from the picture if you have water mixed in .

Easy to check take some grease put it in a paper cup mix in some water compare it to what you see in the winch.

Should give you a idea.

But seeing this is a China built winch (cheap) I am betting that is the way it comes packed in grease.

 

Yes, moisture has gotten mixed with the grease. Clean, regrease and reassemble.