Snorkel in bull dust

Crackles replied:

From my observations turning the air ram around makes negliable difference to both performance & how much dust is "swallowed". Options are either drop back a bit more from the vehicle in front or if in a convoy you could consider fitting a cyclonic pre-cleaner. (They work very well)
Cheers Craig............. Thumbs UpThanks 0

RobAck replied:

From our testing turing the snorkel around creates a low pressure area which means more dust gets sucked in rather than air rammed in. Not worth the effort in my view

Simply stay back from the front vehicle's dust cloud. This gives you better visibility so safer and a more comfortable travelling environment

Regard

RobA Thumbs UpThanks 0

Allan B (Member, SunCoast) replied:

Hi David,

Just think about it logically.

The engine will take in as much air as it needs regardless of which way the snorkel faces. The so-called ram effect is likely to make little difference.

The air will carry a given amount of dust regardless of which way the snorkel faces. It is the same air at the front as at the back of the snorkel after all.

So minimise the dust by keeping well back, clean the air filter daily, and fit a pre-cleaner if you wish.

Thumbs UpThanks 0

Member - RobnJane(VIC) replied:

Hi Michael and others,

The thought that you may remove the air filter daily to remove dust is a little scary to me.

In the main you will still be in a dusty environment and the more often you unnecessarily remove the air filter the greater the risk of dust entry.

Remember as long as the air filter element is not damaged it will continue to work as a filter, all the way through till it is blocked. One of the best ways to damage a filter is to handle/clean it more often than is necessary.

My suggestion is to do what has been noted above, ie remain far enough back from other vehicles so you are travelling in 'clear' air and only clean the air filter out say once a week, or do invest in one of the cyclonic type of pre filters and clean it daily, but don't remove the main air filter daily.

PS. Even the 'ram air' snorkel provides some dust/water pre filtering as it should have holes at back wall of the snorkel which will direct the heavier particles( ie heavier than air) out of the snorkel.

Hope this is of interest.

Rob. Thumbs UpThanks 0

Rockape replied:

David,
have a look at heavy machinery that operates most of it's life in heavy dust. Yes the machines have great dust filtration but your vehicle will never be subjected to 1% of what they cop. They get huge engine hours before they are due for a rebuild.

Even our cruisers with cheap paper filters (not genuine Tojo) are not destroyed due to dust at 8000 Hours +. These vehicles operate 90% of the time at 3000 revs and if you worked that out in 4 gear at those revs it would be around 600,000K and that is being on the very conservative side.


As others have said stay out of the dust if you can and all will be good. Plus stick to the original paper filter.

Thumbs UpThanks 0

GT Campers replied:

..stay out of your mate's dust. Simple!

Thumbs UpThanks 0

Ron N replied:

Daily cleaning of an air filter should not be necessary, unless it's almost completely clogged. Air cleaners are best left alone, if they only have a portion of their dust collection capacity filled, because they filter better that way - and every time you disturb an air filter, it increases the chances of spilt dust getting into the engine. A precleaner is the way to go in heavy dust.

Cheers - Ron. Thumbs UpThanks 0

David16 replied:

Well guys thanks to all the replies,

I have learnt something about this as well, don't touch the element filter unless totally blocked and perhaps use a pre filter over the snorkel head intake in extreme dust and stay well back from the lead vehicle!

That's why I posted, thanks again for the feedback Thumbs UpThanks 0

Rangiephil replied:

I have used a Unifilter sock system in teh snorkel on all my trips.
They are fantastic at collecting bulldust.
They come in a pack of three and each lasts about 2 days in dusty conditions. I then notice my petrol engine starting to be restricted.

They are then cleaned in turps which is a bit messy, as is the reoil.
My main aircleaner was still quite clean and servicable after a 20KK trip to the Kimberley.
They are worthwhile as you cannot always keep clear of dust , eg coming up behind a road train on the dirt and wanting to pass or say on the GRR there is a LOT of oncoming traffic. Don't just assume that it will only be you and your mate on the road.LOL.

Don't be like the bloke with a Disco I met at Mt Barnett Station, who showed me his completely blocked air cleaner element and asked if it could be cleaned! I blew it out with my compressor but there was not a new element within maybe 5KK>
So also take a spare element to be safe.
Regard sPhilip A

Thumbs UpThanks 0

Member - Bucky replied:

David

You can sit back out of the dust, and that in itself will make a difference.
OR
Get a Donaldson Pre Cleaner.
But get a larger one..I think they are rated to the capacity of the engine. But if anything go up a size and not down a size.

Standard Nissan Snorkels are not angled correctly for the fitting of a Donaldson Pre-Cleaner, so you may have to get an adapter made up.

I should have done that ages ago, but I just buy a couple of extra Nissam Filters, when I go outback (most of the time).

CHeers
Bucky Thumbs UpThanks 0

howesy replied:

I use the Donaldson cyclonic pre cleaner and a washable K&N filter. I put a very small amount of light oil (any) in the pre cleaner and smaear the sides and it works unreal.
When selecting a pre cleaner get advice on size, so many are putting the smaller one on the 4.2 diesels and it has too high a velocity and doesnt filter as well. I ran the smaller on on a 2.8 Hilux and the bigger one on the 4.2 cruiser Thumbs UpThanks 0