I recently got a used 2000 Sunfire 2.2L and anyway I was checking the spark plugs and when I pulled the boot off they were coated with a brown waxy substance, both the electrode and down partway on the insulator. I had heard of dielectric compound but I thought it should just be on the insulator and not covering up the electrode. The car seems to be running fine though. The plugs are stock AC Delco platinums. I have read about putting the compound in the boot before putting it back on the plug which might accidentally smear it on the electrode. The plugs look fine otherwise. Should I clean the gunk off or is this normal???
Dielectric coating of the outside of the sparkplug "shell" is recommended...
To clarify I mean the electrode and insulator on the external end, not the ones that stick into the cylinder. If they were coated with a waxy goop, that would be bad.