Gap between the fan shroud and radiator (1 Viewer)

[Desert Dino]

I noticed a gap of 2 mm between the fan shroud and radiator

I do not think Toyota intended it to be this way

when i got my rig it had old aftermarket radiator and i replaced by new CSF rad

can some one pleas post pics of how it should be?

Thank you all

 

[rolliges]

high density foam tape about 0.5 inch thick; found at any hardware store

helps air flow and dampens vibrations

 

[73lndcrsr]

On my 97 FZJ the shroud is flush against the radiator. I do not know the history of mine though, I have only had it a couple of months.

 

[jonheld]

I added self adhesive foam tape around the entire shroud to help it seal better against the radiator.

 

[mudgudgeon]

The should be foam between the radiator and the radiator support panel too so air can't push past the radiator

 

[Desert Dino]

On my 97 FZJ the shroud is flush against the radiator. I do not know the history of mine though, I have only had it a couple of months.

can you post pics?

 

[73lndcrsr]

I will when I can get back out there a bit later today.
Edit:
Decided to take a break from work and took a pic. Hope it helps.

 

[rolliges]

Funny, just checked mine and it is similar to the photo above in regards to the space between the shroud and the radiator.

The foam tape I added to the new radiator is between the rad and the body on all four sides (which is where there was foam on the previous rad). The primary purpose, I believe, is to minimize vibrations as the rad mounts are also isolated.

 

[Marco Lau]

i use chem/oil resistant foam strips around the fan shroud and also between radiator and core support and be meticulous on fit and finish, along with a good fan clutch with thicker oil and a proper radiator = cool engine temp.

 

[fj80toyman]

If you do this, I would avoid using the adhesive side of the foam tape against the plastic tank of the radiator.
It seems that for some reason, the adhesive has a bad effect on the plastic over time.
I had a '94 where that had been done, the adhesive side of that "window foam" against the plastic tank of the radiator, and the radiator had a very distinctive crack the length of the foam that had been applied. It eventually sprung a leak along the crack and had to be replaced.

FWIW. Dan

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, Personally I hate the foam ,it's rotted out several radiators by holding water on them . I use solid rubber strips. Mike

 

[rolliges]

If you do this, I would avoid using the adhesive side of the foam tape against the plastic tank of the radiator.
It seems that for some reason, the adhesive has a bad effect on the plastic over time.
I had a '94 where that had been done, the adhesive side of that "window foam" against the plastic tank of the radiator, and the radiator had a very distinctive crack the length of the foam that had been applied. It eventually sprung a leak along the crack and had to be replaced.

FWIW. Dan

This also happened to my last radiator.

 

[mudgudgeon]

The primary purpose, I believe, is to minimize vibrations

It's there to force air to pass through the radiator, the more air going through the rad the better. The hood is sealed to the rad support for the same reason

 

[shocktower]

I have never seen one with it, and you are fine without the foam, you guy's thing waaaaaaaaayyyy to much

 

[Desert Dino]

I have never seen one with it, and you are fine without the foam, you guy's thing waaaaaaaaayyyy to much

@shocktower if you live in Candy Oregon your are fine without

if you live in IsraHell its not! its hot! like kill you hot like lets fry eggs on the rocks

 

[Rifleman]

Desert Dino, I too live in a VERY HOT desert climate were it's not uncommon for summer time temps to get over 46 C in the shade.

When I last had my radiator serviced along with putting thicker oil in the fan clutch, i also installed foam between the fan shroud, and the radiator, and the radiator and it's core support.

One of the places you"ll want to use foam too is between the bottom radiator tank and the core support where there is a BIG gap, so i used some 2 inch, by 2 inch closed cell foam to fill in this gap.

By paying extra attention to all these gaps where cooling air can bypass your radiator i was able to keep my water temps to 85 C in the middle of summer.

The way i look at it is this, with the cooling and head gasket problems these engines are known to have i though it was well worth the extra effort to make sure every bit of cooling air was going through my radiator core, not bypassing around it. YMMV

 

[Desert Dino]

Can someone share a link to the correct foam tape for the job?

 

[rolliges]

I used something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Sponge-Neopr...W07K9CPCH7K&psc=1&refRID=NKNW7F9ABW07K9CPCH7K

 

[rolliges]

Duplicate post.

The tape should be closed cell foam and ¼ inch thick and about 1 inch wide.

 

[shocktower]

@Desert Dino Ok I know it get's hot there, but I live in CANBY Oregon