Snorkel - necessary ? - and which brand?

A very good reply Terry and I agree with you 100%.

Now, having said that, there are a number of advantages to fitting a snorkel over and above the wading height. Let's face it, no normal 4 wheel driver would be really comfortable driving through a river where the water is up over the bonnet. I've done it a few times and (to me) it is real "heart in the mouth" kind of stuff. I suppose if you're doing it all the time, then it becomes 2nd nature.

If you DO have to cross a river/creek which ends up being slightly deeper than you thought etc, then you're also going to have to make other provisions to guard against engine issues. The one that springs to mind is disabling the viscous fan so it doesn't become a propeller and force itself into the radiator. Or, you could make sure you fit a blind right across the front of the vehicle.

I have fitted snorkels to my last 3 Patrols, mainly for the dust issue and also because the air drawn into the engine is slightly cooler (so they tell me).

My current vehicle is a Patrol with a naturally aspirated 6.5 V8 Chev diesel. It drinks a LOT of air and I've just finished a project to remove the Safari snorkel that was fitted and replaced it with a home made 4" steel snorkel with a much larger air ram on top and a much more direct path into the air box. The effect seems to have been as I desired, but I won't know for sure until I hook the camper trailer on and try the whole rig out under load.


I can't imagine owning a 4x4 that isn't fitted with a snorkel. You may consider a snorkel as "jewellery", but I certainly believe the benefits of the concept far outweighs the bling factor. It only has to save you ONCE for it to have paid for itself.

Don't forget that a river/creek that is nominally lower than the standard air intake of you 4x4, can still cause you grief. If the water depth is, say, 800mm and your intake is 1000mm, you may think you have 200mm to spare.

WRONG!!!!!! Once you enter the water and create a bow wave, that water (that was only up to your waste when you walked the crossing), could now be completely over your bonnet.

If more than about a cup-full of water passes your air filter element (they're not designed to stop the flow of water), then you WILL "hydraulic" your expensive diesel motor. THAT is when you'll be wishing you shelled-out the $500- or so to have a snorkel fitted.


(BTW: The original poster mentioned a book by "Keith Moon"....... I think he meant Ron Moon).

Cheers

Roachie

Maybe it was Keith Moon,he did drive a Rolls Royce Phantom into a swimming pool ,so maybe he was doing research for his book on snorkels :wink:

Ross,

don't talk about My Generation like that.

Who Are You? Who Who

We won't be Fooled Again.

Are you Happy? Jack?

I think I meant Ron Moon
..it was a bit early this morning for my generation,
..wasn't trying to cause a big sensation.

I had a mate give me a sarfari snorkel for my birthday for my lux.

Once fitted, it ran better, and gave better milage, as the factory air ducting from behind the front headlight was quite restricted in design.
Snorkel allowed free flowing air.
Result, better performance.

Also gives you the benefit of drawing cooler air, as most air intakes are inside the front wheel guards of many 4x4's which is a pretty dusty, poor design.

if you go a snorkel, get extended diff, and gearbox breathers, and also your fuel tank breather if you want to tackle water crossings.

Trains

Only two popular brands Safara or Airtech .Of the two the Safari seems most popular and thats what I have on my 100 Series Turbo Diesel.
Goodluck.

Toyota recommends fording depth no more than 800mm WITH or WITHOUT their snorkel.
Than have more gaps than a politicians promises if you have a closer look at the joints under the guard.
Shane

That's the sort of info I need. Thanks Tezza

I also agree with Tezza

This was taken just a few days ago

When you say you are going to Cape York - it is possible to go via the development road which is an easier option - or you can go via the OT track which includes Nolans
Nolans is deeper than it looks and a snorkel is a must

[img][/img] Nolan's Crossing

"Nolans is deeper than it looks and a snorkel is a must"
Certainly nothing in that photo that must require a snorkel. Fitting a blind & driving with a little less speed will see you safely accross any of the creeks on the OTL during the dry seasons as proven by the hundreds that successfully do it every year.
Other than the Pascoe River on the Frenchman's track almost all other Cape crossings on the main tourist routes are relatively short so even if the water splash's on the bonnet it's not normally a problem with a blind. I'd be far more concerned with getting water in the diffs & gearbox so if anything extended breathers are a must.
Cheers Craig............

Be blowed if I wasn't just looking on another forum & saw this photo of a Jeep crossing the same creek less than 2 weeks ago at the same depth demonstrating exactly what I was saying. With a better line & speed the crossing doesn't look half as intimidating.
Cheers Craig............

Used a blind

No 'other' line was available due to previous scouring of creek bed from other users (Noklans is a very soft sand base)

Of the 7 vehicles that crossed Nolans when I did, 3 stalled just at the point that they were due to exit the creek due to a high 'bank' created by previous users - perhaps the crossing would have been done differently on another day if this 'scouring' hadnt occurred

Some speed (perhaps not 'quite' as much as I used) was necessary to overcome the issues stated above

Of the 3 that stalled - 1 troopy - no issues - snatched out and all was well

1 - 7 month old, stock standard, prado - no issues, other than his dash lights all lit up for about 2 days after until the water had all dried out - continued trip without any lasting effects

1 'other' (not sure if Toyo or Nissan) - must have injested some water and was a sick puppy for a number of days - came across driver in Seisa and he had put it into garage to have motor looked at

All vehicles had snorkels - the 'other' had a snorkel but upon inspection he found that the drain hole in his airfilter wasnt closed properly and he must have sucked water in - I am mot 100% sure of the facts a she wasnt travelling with our group.

So in answer to the original question - I belive if you are going to go to the Cape via the OTT then a snorkel is required - just as recovery gear, recovery points and comprehensive vehicle insurance is.

Robin,
I wasn't aware when I posted the question that the 80 Series air intake is in the wheel arch, which pretty well made my mind up for me.
My other trucks have all been petrol - Patrols and Disco's - and like you I used a blind in deep water. Been through creeks up to a metre deep without issue, but as a couple of the replies have said, even a few ounces of water can ruin a diesel.