[Username1]

In the case of g1 to g2 shorts, a nice jolt of high voltage and or high current, would
so to speak vaporize whatever gremlin in there. These elements have a good 1/32"
space between them. Most likely not close enough to weld anything together.

Heater-cathode are almost in contact with one another. Separated by some insulating
coating. But if this coating breaks down and allows some level of conduction, and you
chose to blast it with a high voltage and or high enough current pulse, it may end up
being welded together at least.

If you wanna be safe, try what you said, tie both heater wires together, and put a low
voltage variable DC source between your two tied together heater wires and the
cathode, but include a current meter in series with the thing. That way you can keep
the current and voltage below what may kill the heater..... Get it.....
Slowly increase the voltage 1V - 2V - 3V.......

But be careful, You may have the leaky spot at some point ~ Say for example ~ in such
a way as to divide in some un natural way the heater so that the path from the heater
to cathode may burn out the heater if you apply 2V to one heater leg, and cathode....
Get it ?

If you end up applying a full 6v between the 2 heaters and cathode and zero current
flows..... Using a very small scale, not 10Amp scale, then you have a really minor
leakage.... Maybe a small capacitor discharge may clear it.....

Like 5uf charged to 100V. Be conservative and be safe...

.