To Snorkel or Not to Snorkel

Just make sure it is fitted correctly. A poor fitting snorkle is useless. We had a Council Cruiser in the Gulf drown because of a poorly factory fitted snorkle. Water came into the intake under the guard through a poorly sealed joint. Other than that all the above points are benifits. Cheers Tony

Tony,
Is there a way to test if the snorkel is well sealed?
I have heard of not so good installations having this problem.

Cheers,
Wayne.

Try and stall the engine by blocking the air intake. If the engine does not stall then it must be sucking air from a leak some place. Be careful though, the suction can be real strong and will suck a rag straight down the tube - it will only end up in the air filter. Use a board with a soft covering and slide it across the top of the tube (you will probably have to remove the top first). If you are likely to be doing bush work then I would suggest that you turn the cap at the intake to face the rear so that it does not 'hook' any vines or low branches.

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To try and stall a vehicle by blocking the snorkel intake is a bit suspect IMHO, all it would do is place stress on the sealed joints within the snorkel, plus the air filter box would need to be fully sealed as well or it will suck air through the drains in the bottom of the filter box housing.

The way I would test the snorkel would be to disconnect the air intake into the air filter box and block the snorkel there then fill the whole snorkel with water. No stress on the sealed joints and an easy way to find leaks.

Also AFAIK factory Snorkels are not designed to be water proof, they are designed only to give an elevated air intake which should reduce dust ingestion into the air filter.


Cheers Kev

Sir Kev, I strongly beg to differ ! Snorkels are primarily to avoid water being ingested and dust is a distant second benefit. Even promotional videos show test vehicles driving through deep water and no mention is made of them keeping out dust particles - thats what the air filter is for.

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Hello - I have noticed that the rally cars (WRC) use snorkels duirng the Kenyan Rally (and now where else?). I dont know for sure but it seems to be because of large amounts of dust. Its certainly is not because of water. Could argue that the average punter is unlikely to encounter dust of this magnitude unless they like going last in tag along tours in desert areas so probably not an issue for most people most of the time. Not convinced that intake air would be significantly cooler when using snorkel either. Wouldnt bother myself unless anticipated water crossings that needed to be crossed. All factors add up I suppose - good insurance at least.

Cheers
Greg

Kiwi Kia,

I have just perused the Mitsubishi web site and have failed to find a factory standard Snorkel for a Pajero. Therefore one would have to fit an aftermarket designed Snorkel, there lies the difference. An aftermarket snorkel has different design characteristics than the standard factory designed one to the extent that Mitsubishi don't have one for the pajero.

Whereas from the Toyota web site the snorkel for the 70 Series is described as

"The air cleaner snorkel has been integrated to work in with the frontal design changes, so you can breathe easy when you think you’re getting in over your head. "

I rest my case

Cheers Kev