NGK Laser Iridium Plugs - Weld Spatter Cause for Concern?

[Bullpin]

Greetings all. I'm a long time lurker and first time poster.

I noticed weld spatter on the tips of these plugs when viewed under 40X magnification and assume it's from the laser welding process for attaching the iridium tip. All six of these plugs looked similar under magnification. The spatter isn't visible with the naked eye and look normal. I got these plugs from Napa and am 99.9% sure they're genuine. Is the spatter any cause for concern?

 

[atikovi]

Welcome, you'll fit right in here with that OCD.

 

[joegreen]

It’s of no concern. It’s just on the surface of the electrode.

 

[measureman]

You could buff it off with a wheel and sleep better.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Welcome to BITOG

There is nothing wrong with those

 

[kschachn]

Seems to be an epidemic today.

 

[MotorFan]

Welcome, you'll fit right in here with that OCD.

he won't really fit in here until he uses 4000X magnification.

 

[Hall]

I noticed weld spatter on the tips of these plugs when viewed under 40X magnification

Who does that ? Really ?

 

[Bullpin]

Lol, I like to look at things under magnification to see things that might not otherwise be seen. I was taking a look at those tiny laser welds and tip as part of verifying the authenticity of these NGK's. My concern was about those little spatter balls coming loose inside the cylinder and causing damage.

Thanks to all for the input. I tried to remove the little dingle-berries with a toothbrush to no avail. I didn't feel comfortable doing anything more aggressive than that. The plugs are now installed and working great. I'll try not to think about it for the next 60k miles

 

[joegreen]

Those balls will cause zero damage if they come off. They are too small. There is a greater chance of dirt falling into the cylinder when changing the plugs.

 

[D60]

Who does that ? Really ?

It immediately reminded me of starting in school for machining....we had to hand grind a single-point threading tool from a chunk of HSS then take it to the optical comparator. You learn to hate that thing REAL quick 'cause it'll show any imperfections or inconsistencies in your hand-ground tool and laugh at you as it does it.

I'm sure it built character or something, but I buy carbide inserts now, thank you

 

[rav]

Could be counterfeit plugs.

 

[zray1]

“…… The plugs are now installed and working great. I'll try not to think about it for the next 60k miles

as a founding member of the OCD club, I advise continuing to think about the spark plugs every waking moment. That way your real problems won’t clutter up your mind.

Z