Maybe that seal replaces the "waxy rope" one, IDK. My car, '08 Coupe, does not have any other windshield/cowl seal other than the disintegrated foam tube.

Either way.....

Sorry we are talking about 2 diff things. Your seal above is a large seal like on your doors. sits on top of cowl. goes all the way across. stretches across both cowl pieces. it touches hood. it has nipples on the bottom of it where it sits into cowl. does your cowl have holes in the top with nothing in them?

once cowls are removed they have a very tight 1/8" or 1/4" inch gap where they touch windshield underneath. foam goes there.

Gotcha. I was looking at it from the wrong angle, I guess- a "Old Fart" moment... I forgot all about that rubber strip that seals the cowl to the hood!

The backer rod, or silicone, will still be the best remedy.

Thanks for clearing that up for this old man!

Nw brother! For the record i took off cabin air piece. Seal underneath very healthy. I'm skeptical. Water would have to go up and over metal lip to get in.
However I did install 3/8" backer rod in the channel in cowl (thanks G37sPhoton) and the cowl fits more snug now. We shall see! really hoping I'm done with this! My leak was only with heavy rain so it's not super easy to pinpoint.