Why I Hate Sunroofs

[Don Muirhead]

I picked up a '87 5kts(cd)q a while back (July).  It was cheap ($2k), low 
km's and in reasonable shape with a good body.  It was even chipped (by 
parties unknown) and came complete with a stage II performance package 
courtesy of Bramall.  Normally, I wouldn't touch an older 5k (no flames 
please just my personal preference) but it was one of those deals that was 
hard to say no to.  Besides, the dog (no, not the wife) is getting old and 
fat like her master and it's hard for her to get in the back seat of a 
coupe.  The other problem is that both of us are constantly shedding these 
days it makes better sense to do this somewhere we can call our own.

It hadn't been driven in a few years so I knew some small stuff would be in 
need of attention as soon as it started to loosen-up.  Bushings all the way 
around, motor mounts, t-belt, water pump, thermostat, vacuum hoses, oil 
line, rack, bomb, manifold, injectors & injector lines, distributor, plug 
wires a couple of wheel bearings, plus a few electrical problems here and 
there...a typical older Audi buy it for $2k add $3k in parts.

On Monday evening, I went out for a drive with the dog (no, not the wife), 
opened the sunroof to suck in that clear fall air and enjoy a fine Cuban 
cigar (wife won't let me enjoy them at home).  Needless to say 70 km from 
home cruising the country roads I couldn't get the sucker closed and yes it 
rained.  No tarp, piece of plastic or for that matter roll of duct tape in 
the car.  I finally found a store that was open, bought a package of 
garbage bags and a roll of tape then the dog and I whimpered home.  I spent 
last evening drying out the interior and trying to get rid of the wet dog 
smell.  I whipped out Mr. Multi-meter checked everything from the panel to 
the switch and motor.  Everything should be working.   I'm tired, so I 
started the engine to move the car from the shop to the garage when the 
manifold I replaced not 3 weeks ago, cracked on the inside of the small 
rise before waste gate.  As I'm sitting there mulling over the meaning of 
life, trying to remember where I put the receipt from the wreckers for the 
manifold, I flipped the sunroof switch which of course healed itself and 
worked like a charm.

Ignoring all a the aforementioned whining, I don't want to arbitrarily 
start replacing parts for the sunroof until the sucker decides not to work 
again so if you've been down this road let me know what you ended up doing 
so at least I can be somewhat prepared.

Thanks
Don
pack of coupes,
one sick type 44,
token '93 S4