I was just using a standard radio shack 25W soldering iron (RadioShack 25-Watt Pencil Soldering Iron) and as I was using it, I looked over and saw that some white goo was coming out of the soldering iron where the screw is. I immediately unplugged it, just in case anything bad was happening. Here are some photos: (sorry for the bad quality)
When the iron was on, the white stuff looked more liquidy than it does in the photos.
What is happening?
What did Radio Shack say?
Was it recently with another solder iron?
Seriously, I can't be sure but it is likely anti-seize. It is used to protect the removable parts from corrosion.
Possibly a thermal paste to improve thermal conductivity between the metal rod (which the tip is made of) and the region it is inserted into?
Should dismantle if possible to make sure.
Was it recently with another solder iron?
XD Or, a solder sucker?
Judging by the look of the end of your soldering tip you are in desperate need of some tinning practice
The tip should be clean with a smear of solder on it
The white substance is in the recess in the head of a Phillips head screw. I seriously doubt the it is coming form the inside of the iron. Maybe to prevent removal of the screw? I have an iron exactly like that (without the goo).
Hi,
If its in the end of the crosshead screw, then the soldering iron has scraped or rubbed up against something, causing this white stuff to be caught in the head.
Probaby plastic of some sort, could even have got in there while soldering iron was cooling.
I would not worry about it, does it smoke and/or smell.
Just pick it out when the iron is cold.
Tom... 
Possibly some sort of thermal grease and thermal expansion is forcing it out ?
Never seen that before though.
