Chinese Water Torture

I'm sure there is a thread somewhere, but as this is a recent problem - for me - I will ask what may be a common question.
1988 GTI Cab is leaking like a good un, both sides above seat edge-bolsters. [That's were the wet stuff is landing] The hood is a standard  vynil job and has ye olde traditional breaks in the edge-seam caused by folding. Also, there is a split on one side and a break on the other of the plastic, profiled skirt which sits between the hood frame and the hood edge.
Would I be correct in concluding that the problem may be caused by the afore-mentioned? If so, can the plastic skirting be bought. The hood is, presumably, a matter of repair or renewal.

Mate, I'm sure of the bit you describe and how to fix it but I'm some how still confused as to what you mean!?!?!?

Anyway it's an easy fix and has been answered loads of times. You need to replace the foam rubber gromit between the frame and the rubber.

Do a search and you shall find.

T

mine does this, and I am pretty sure the problem is due to the seam down the hood.  on the inside there is a flap which is supposed to be glued in place to make the seam watertight, but on mine all the glue has rotted away.  I plan on peeling the hood back to have a go at fixing this some point in the future!

There are foam gaskets that are stuck onto the metal plates that the rubber seals go into, it's a common problem on Cabbies.

They also tend to leak at the screw hole at the front of the seal retaining plates too, usually you need to put plenty of sillicone around this point.

The foam gaskets are part No:155871431. leave a 1/4 to 1/2 inch over hang when you put them and bend them up. you may need to build up the strips at the front to get the seal just right.

You need to make sure that the windows are adjusted properly too. The window glass when wound up should just touch the seal on the door guide rail.

The glass when up should just slightly deprees against the roof seals.
you can acsess the window regulator bolts behind the door cards.

As with any thing a roof in good nick is an absolute must, you will risk further damage to the interliner i.e. rotting, let alone your interior and soggy carpets and the resulting musty smell.

Thanks, everyone. I can now look forward to having a dry winter -- at least, on the inside. Thanks particularly for telling me how to fix the problem and not just what was wrong.