# Missing Spark Plug Boot **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [July 1, 2013, 5:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-spark-plug-boot/80106 "2013-07-01T05:43:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![garbagegasman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@garbagegasman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/garbagegasman)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 5:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-spark-plug-boot/80106/1 "2013-07-01T05:43:30Z")
Ok so I was just changing my spark plugs on my 350 small block and one of the spark plug boots got torn apart when I tried to pull it off the plug. the wire seems ok and the connector on the end of it is completely rust free. my question is wether or not this is an urgent issue or if it can wait a few days to fix? also can I just buy a boot kit for it or should I replace the wires completely? the wires themselves are fairly new and all in good condition and there is spark to all the cylinders right now. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 6:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-spark-plug-boot/80106/2 "2013-07-01T06:09:15Z")
I might try and find an old set of wires and salvage a boot from one of those wires. Maybe a shop will give you one. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 6:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-spark-plug-boot/80106/3 "2013-07-01T06:26:46Z")
Some places sell just one plug wire. ---
**Author:** ![garbagegasman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@garbagegasman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/garbagegasman)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 6:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-spark-plug-boot/80106/4 "2013-07-01T06:33:58Z")
well I know I can buy a boot set but i’m kind of wondering how urgent this really is. can I run it for a few days like this till I have time to go get something or should I go in tomorrow and grab it before work if I can? ---
**Author:** ![RemcoW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/remcow/32/2471_2.png) [@RemcoW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RemcoW)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 6:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-spark-plug-boot/80106/5 "2013-07-01T06:45:09Z")
If there’s no metal around it, it’ll probably be okay. If there’s metal around it, it may try to arc to it. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 6:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-spark-plug-boot/80106/6 "2013-07-01T06:47:51Z")
Hard to say, only car I’ve seen run without boots was an antique (1911), and a lawnmower. It might work, it might arc. ---
**Author:** ![garbagegasman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@garbagegasman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/garbagegasman)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 6:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-spark-plug-boot/80106/7 "2013-07-01T06:48:38Z")
the only thing there is the exhaust manifold and some heat shielding and when I ran it it didn’t arc at all so i’m guessing if that’s the only problem I should be ok ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 6:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-spark-plug-boot/80106/8 "2013-07-01T06:52:59Z")
Just hope it doesn’t rain. That could cause it to short out. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 7:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-spark-plug-boot/80106/9 "2013-07-01T07:16:42Z")
@texases beat me to my answer. You’ll be fine until it rains. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 8:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-spark-plug-boot/80106/10 "2013-07-01T08:53:52Z")
The only thing I will add is that you should consider buying a tube of dielectric grease at the parts house and lube the inside of all plug boots. When removing them always do it by twisting the boots instead of pulling them straight off. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-spark-plug-boot/80106/11 "2013-07-01T21:51:55Z")
If it don’t miss you’ll have bliss…