1KZ-TE Rubber Intercooler seal

[Snappa Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Snappa]

Hi All

Is the rubber seal between the intercooler and the underside of the bonnet meant to have some sort of frame or spring inside of it to help it stay in place when the bonnet is closed? The reason I ask is that it appears that the rear part of the seal isn't staying place. There are distinct marks on the seal itself, showing that the rear part of the seal is not staying in place. It's "blowing out" and letting air escape between the bonnet and intercooler, instead of doing what its supposed to and keeping me inlet air nice and cool.

Am I worrying about nothing?

Cheers

Snappa :twisted:

[joey Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close joey]

Re: 1KZ-TE Rubber Intercooler seal

Mate evry one of the turbo diesels in Cairns has the same issue...mine is a bit wonky as well but nothing i have worried about to much..

i wonder if you could make some sort of mod to hold it neat??

joey

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: 1KZ-TE Rubber Intercooler seal

It's a crap design, should've been a bonnet scoop like the Hilux

[Snappa Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Snappa]

Re: 1KZ-TE Rubber Intercooler seal

I had a wee think after my first post and I ended up taping a piece of 12x3 ali flat bar across the back of the seal - it appears to have done the trick. When I say "tape" I used some 3M VHB tape which sticks like sh*t to the proverbial blanket. The last thing I want is a piece of ali flying around the engine bay....anyway, I'll post a couple of photos soon.

Snappa :twisted:

[Snappa Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Snappa]

Re: 1KZ-TE Rubber Intercooler seal

Here are some photos of the fix I have made to correct the crappy Toyota design. If you decide to make the same mod, make sure you attach the piece of bar very firmly

Its a bit hard to see but that shiny bit is the ali flat bar. It stops the seal twisting out of place when there is a bit of air pressure inside the seal. Also see my 304 Stainless Steel Mesh intercooler bug screen - veeeeeeery shiny. I cable tied it to the plastic screen on top of the intercooler after seeing how much crap was jammed into the fins of the intercooler and then spending the next hour trying to clean it all out!

[John Member Find all posts View Profile Close John]

Re: 1KZ-TE Rubber Intercooler seal

Snappa, that screen looks like it does a good job stopping bugs, but I reckon it would block 10-15% of the airflow through the intercooler.

[Snappa Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Snappa]

Re: 1KZ-TE Rubber Intercooler seal

I've since removed it. I noticed that after fitting the bugscreen, fuel consumption increased to around 11.5/100km. I've since removed it and fuel consumption is back where it normally is - around 10.6-10.7/100km. Not sure of the techo reasons why this happens, but it did. I'm going to experiment with different mesh sizes and see if I can find something that keeps out all the bugs but doesn't impact on fuel consumption

Snappa

[John Member Find all posts View Profile Close John]

Re: 1KZ-TE Rubber Intercooler seal

Mate, that would probably be because the intercooler couldn't do its job properly. Partial obstruction = hotter air = less dense air = less efficiency etc.

But the concept is a good idea. I think what's needed is a material of good strength, but with the smallest surface area to maximise airflow through the intercooler. Perhaps fibreglass flyscreen? That's what I've been thinking of doing.