snorkel needed

G'day Ian

Probably handy for no other reason than increasing your chances of getting clean air to your engine .. as long as you are not tailgating anyone, in which case it'll make no difference.

From what you said of your planned trip, you are unlikely to encounter any water crossings of significant depth. However, should that not be the case, you could certainly add that to the plus side of the list.

Ian,

Depends on the season, I guess. When we were there in August 2009 there was no water crossing more than hub deep, so it wasn't necessary for water.

But I certainly think you need it for dust, and if you're doing a lap and intend driving on dirt then I think it's a must.

Cheers

Yes for the dust, you won't have water problems at that time of year. And a new air cleaner as a spare.

Ian

You need a snorkel, just like you need a Toyota. Its all about appearances.

Bob

PS I have a snorkel.

Can I assume we are talking about a diesel engine in your vehicle?
If so I think it wise and a conservative approach to fit a snorkel but make sure it is waterproof at time of installation

So Ian, are we talking about a 1964 Mini Minor you inherited as part of a deceased estate, a Landcruiser, Nissan Patrol, Jeep or Landrover. Maybe an ex army Unimog you bought at a recent disposal sale.

If it's the Mini, definitely, and a very good sump guard.

The Cruiser, Patrol, Jeep, Landy, in August very unlikely for water, good idea for dust as has been mentioned.
Unless you plan on travelling to The Cape as part of the "lap". Probably not a bad idea then.

The Mog, I would be quite confident in taking it as is.....LOL

Cheers
Pop

Do you NEED a snorkel? No you don't NEED one - plenty of vehicles survive quite well without them, despite what some might tell you.

My previous Cruisers (Middy and a couple of 80s) all survived the Cape, Kimberley, Canning, High Country, Simpson Desert, Gunbarrel Highway etc without a snorkel. And that included heaps of dust and some water crossings where it came up over the bonnet - in such cases one just take appropriate precautions.

My current Cruiser had one fitted when I bought it and it's still there. Makes the vehicle look "tougher".

If you have the money then having one saves worrying about dust & water and needing to take extra precautions at water crossings. If you do fit one make sure it is properly sealed - installers can be sloppy.

Short answer is NO ….

But then if you decide to go ahead and fit a snorkel at least make sure that the joins are air / water proof and the air filter box water drain hose is sealed or that at least the one way valve is functional , also fitting a snorkel and not fitting raised front and rear diff breathers kind of defeats the purpose of going into deeper water..

Three things diesel's thrive on, clean fuel, clean oil and clean air. Particulates at 1.8m are far less than at 1.2m and being forced under the bonnet by the radiator fan, and marginally cooler air the higher the intake is, and certainly as said make sure it is properly sealed against water ingress aswell.

probably dont need one, but when you find that you do, its too late.
As they are only a couple of hundred bucks now tops, why not just get one?

In my opinion, an equally important question in terms of water crossings is diff, transfer case and transmission breathers. I didn't bother with a snorkel on my Pajero but I extended the breathers to high up on the fire wall.

A snorkel does not deliver clean air to the engine, the air filter does. A snorkel delivers cleaner air in dusty conditions to the air filter.
I carried a couple of spare air filters on my trip.