Windshield ? for Gen. 4 camry owners

[Noku]

Got a 98 Camry bought last month. Noticed that the seal between the windshield and engine compartment cowl is cracking and beginning to break off in small chunks. Thankfully there are no leaks inside the car as of yet. Went to Toyota Parts to see if a windshield gasket was available and was told that the seal on that model is integrated with the cowl (cannot be sold separately) running up against the glass. The diagram shows that the seal is comprised of two pieces maybe 18 inches each and does not extend across the whole bottom section of the windshield.

I'm thinking that the original seals got removed and instead a bead of some kind of caulk was laid across the entire bottom section of glass. Probably not silicone because it is all brittle but can be still formed into a ball if rolled between your fingers.

I'm going to be using a urethane base windshield sealant from CR Lawrence after cleaning out the old goo but was just wondering if the Toyota windshield diagram was correct and the seals do not extend across the entire lenght of glass. And if I should go the entire distance would this be a source for future problems?

Thanks for any info, advice or comments.

[carsrus]

On my car the cowl is just separated on the drivers side from the windshield. The gasket is cracked and theres a good gap between them.

Its been this way for a couple years, no ill effects. I would just RTV it if its bothering you.

[Noku]

So did the seal extend cross the entire lenght of the glass at one time? Do you know what type of material your seal is made of? I've got bits and pieces of the seal missing and kinda worried that a pool of water is going to collect somewhere and create a rust spot and later start to leak.

Thanks for your input