About two months ago, I began experiencing a problem with a gooey type of substance leaking upwards through the cover of my shifter. At that time, there was no hole or crack. So I cleaned it off and it reappeared within an hour or so.
Since then, the amount of goo has increased while deteriorating the paint coating.

I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem?

 

This pic was taken focused-on the right side of the gate, but as you can see, there is nothing underneath where you are having problems.....

It's very easy to take-off the trim. Start with the piece around the parking break lever, then the sifter itself. It's all held together with the top piece having tabs that slide down into the sides of the center console. A putty knife with a piece of masking tape on the leading edge (see pic) works perfect for prying them up off the console sides.