Jet Igniter Plugs

Sir,

Having recently seen all these advertisements for “American Jet Igniter Plugs” I thought just as a matter of interest I would bring to your attention a recent case where I, being a motor mechanic, was called out on a breakdown to the house of an American visitor to this country whose car would not start.

The car was a Ford Corsair GT and when I got there, in drizzling rain, the customer hastened to add that he had towed his car two miles and it had still not started.

I proceeded to check the fuel and ignition systems, nothing being faulty or damp I turned my attention to the sparking plugs. At this moment I was told that it couldn’t possibly be the plugs as they were Jet Igniter Plugs and had cost £3 for the set. When I inspected it and never having seen one of these before all I could see was a hole with the electrode right up inside. As I couldn’t figure out how a spark was achieved I read a little booklet that he had with them. Still not convinced and remembering that the customer is always right I replaced it.

The car still would not start so I proceeded to check everything again. Not finding anything I decided to remove all of the plugs. On inspecting them I found that they were supposed to have little pieces of tin jammed in the end as a spark inducer, three of these had fallen out into the cylinder bores. A spare set of Autolite AG32 plugs were fitted and it started straight away.

The unfortunate customer now has to have the cylinder head removed, costing £2 10s., a new head gasket, and manifold gasket plus the £3 for his plugs his running costs for about three months are about £7 10s.

The manufacturer’s claim “These plugs will save you £20 per annum on running costs.” Well our customer is off to a good start.

Incidentally, he told me that all faulty plugs have to go back to the U.S.A. More expense, I suppose?

B. Hendy – Chandlers Ford.