That sounds like the plug I pulled out of my customer's van where the piston
had broken a chunk off of it.  It did some physical damage to the electrode
and since the customer continued to drive the van, it welded the remaining
gap shut with aluminum! I was in pain when I saw it.  A VW factory rebuild
with only two years on it so don't feel too bad about your GEX.
Ken Wilford
Van-Again
Romans 3:23