How do I replace intake boot? - 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet

You'll need to remove the oil cap and the 6 bolts holding on the engine cover. The front 3 spark plugs are pretty easy to replace. You'll need to unplug the spark plug wire from the coil and disconnect the electrical connector. Unbolt the 2 10mm bolts holding the coil to the valve cover. Twist the coil and boot back and forth and pull it out of the cylinder head. The spark plug is down in the head, you'll need at least a 6 inch extension with a 5/8" spark plug socket, a telescopic magnet will help get the spark plug out of the head. The back 3 spark plugs involve removing the upper intake and throttle body, unbolt the bracket to the throttle body, and the bracket bolted to the upper intake manifold. on the back side of the engine. Remove the tubing from the throttle body to the air cleaner box. Unbolt anything else bolted to the upper intake. Unplug electrical connectors to the throttle body and any other electrical connectors on the upper intake and remove the upper intake bolts. And move the upper intake out of the way, there are only spark plug wires on the back 3 plugs. Twist and turn each boot to aid in removing the boot from the plug. I would get a new upper intake gasket and consider replacing the wires at this time also. There are actually only 3 spark plug wires, so for what is involved to get to them, I would replace them. I have found alot of the wires will arc to the upper intake manifold.

Replace the valve cover gasket if the valve cover gaskets are leaking or if they're worn. The procedure is as follows:--
1) First of all let the motor cool down if the car was recently driven. Then remove the air intake boot.The air intake boot ios attached to the engine's throttle body.
2) Carefully disconnect the throttle cable , hoses and electrical connectors located on the upper intake manifold.
3) Then disconnect the hard pipe that is connected to the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve.
4) The EGR valve is located beneath the upper intake manifold.
5) Then remove the bolts from both the upper intake manifold and the manifold support bracket.
6) Now the upper intake main fold and lower intake manifold both have got loose as you removed the nut.
7) After that remove the upper intake manifold from the lower intake manifold. Carefully place clean rags over the intake runners to prevent anything from falling into the intake system.
8) Then you will have to disconnect the crank case breather valve on the valve cover.
9) Then remove the bolts from the valve cover and remove the reinforcing straps.
10) Then remove the camshaft belt cover and the dust shield from the back of the camshaft sprocket.
11) Now carefully remove the valve cover. Properly clean the old gasket material with gasket remover.
12) You can install a new gasket in the reverse procedure of removal.


This will help. good luck.