Thread: Question about iridium plugs - snapped off electrode

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  1. #1 Question about iridium plugs - snapped off electrode 
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    I've been working on my daughter's 08 GP, and it's the first time I've had to use iridium spark plugs. I bought a set of AC Delco 41-100's, and didn't notice I'd gotten 100's instead of 101's, which is what it needs. Well, I always check the gap first, and the 100's are gapped at something like 035-040. So I was glad I checked them, and proceeded to open the gap to the required .060, and the needle thin wire electrode snapped off, leaving the larger section of the electrode. When I started researching iridium plugs, though, the pics I'm seeing have an electrode the size of "what's left" on the one I gapped, and don't show a needle size extension sticking out from the other electrode. My question is, would this plug still be usable without that hair fine section that is now missing? (FWIW, I bought a set of the 41-101's, which were gapped correctly at .059 - .060 and installed them instead) I just want to know if the two broken ones I have (didn't notice I'd snapped the first one till I saw I'd broken the second one, too) I'd like to give these to someone who could use them since I've don't need them now. 4 are still untouched with original factory gap, but if they still fire without the hair thin section at the top, maybe someone could still use all 6. I hate to just throw $40 away. Thanks, Lee
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  2. #2 Re: Question about iridium plugs - snapped off electrode 
    GrandPrix Junkie
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    Likely not. Iridium plugs don't like to be messed with. I'd just chuck the broken ones in the bin and sell the other 4 to someone who has a 4-banger that can use those plugs. The only way I've ever changed the gap on an iridium plug was to use a needlenose pliers without touching the center electrode. Most of them require no adjustment out of the box.
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  3. #3 Re: Question about iridium plugs - snapped off electrode 
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    That's what I figured, but for some reason a couple of sites that I checked had photo's of iridium plugs, along with platinum, platinum-even-better and copper, showed iridium plugs without the super fine tip of the electrode. But I will toss those and count it up to experience. I'll have to find out what they fit, and give them to somebody that can use them. This kind of thing is exactly why I drive an old straight 6 235 in my old beater. You can't hardly screw up a copper plug unless you crack the porcelain. Thanks for the quick reply, FordMan77.
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