Dear Tom and Ray:

I own a 1993 Subaru Legacy Wagon. It's the 25th Silver Anniversary L Plus Sports Wagon Edition. That means I have a sports suspension, fancy wheels, turbo, leather steering wheel and LEAKING electric sunroof! When it rains, the sunroof leaks on my head, just like the old B.J. Thomas song. No one except the dealer will even look at this for me. The dealer thinks the silicone rubber seal is in need of replacement (the drains are clear). Even though silicone costs $4 a tube, the cost estimate is for eight hours of work at $60 per hour! They say it's so expensive because they have to remove the headliner, sunroof and other items. I cannot believe this thing is leaking after only four years, and can't believe how much it costs to fix. Do I have any alternatives? Should I attempt this on my own? Or should I just do it and get on with my life? -- Ted

Ray: You should absolutely, definitely NOT attempt this repair yourself. You could more easily fix the leak in the Mir space station. The dealer is right about what's involved with this job. This is a complete pain in the butt.

Tom: But I think you're right to be disappointed that the sunroof is leaking after only four years. And if it were me, I'd complain to Lord Subaru and see if they'll contribute to the repair (Subaru's Customer Service Number is 1-800-SUBARU3). As always, be polite and tell them how much you like the car, and that you're surprised that the sunroof didn't last longer. "It shouldn't leak after only four years, should it?" you might ask.

Ray: And if you get nowhere with Subaru, then you have two choices. You can either throw in the towel (so to speak) and get it fixed, or you can do what my brother would do: Go the duct-tape route.

Tom: Yeah. And if the dealer won't sell you the special Subaru Sunroof Duct Tape for $180 a roll, write back and I'll get you some.

* * *

Tom: Well, you asked for it, and here it is. My brother and I sat down and wrote down everything we know about how to make your car last forever.

Ray: And it only came out to eight lousy pages!

Tom: But now this gold mine of information can be yours....

Ray: Get your copy of "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" by sending $3 and a stamped (55 cents), self-addressed, No.10 envelope to Ruin No.1, PO Box 6420, Riverton, NJ 08077-6420.

It's amazing how many bad driving habits and wacko theories have been passed down from generation to generation! Tom and Ray set the record straight in their booklet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1997 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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