A vehicle snorkel helps your car to “breathe” when wading through bodies of water. It works in much the same way as snorkels for humans, by taking in clean air from above the water, and preventing water from making its way into the engine, to maintain optimal air flow and temperature.
Whether you’re on the road or off road a snorkel is the best way to get the cleanest and purest air into your engine. Even if you’re not crossing rivers or battling high tides, a snorkel can still help improve on performance and fuel efficiency in heavy rain or dusty terrain.
Can you fit a snorkel to any car?
While it is possible to customize a snorkel for vehicles where no ready-made one is available, it is an involved and costly process, and you may need to change your internal air-intake assembly to make one fit. Most commercially available snorkels are specifically designed to fit snugly against the bodywork.
The snorkel allows them to submerge in up to 5 feet (1.6 meters) of water while still getting air. Then you have to waterproof the engine. There are a lot of different issues to think about.
What does a car snorkel do? – Related Questions
Does a snorkel add horsepower?
A snorkel is hardly a finely tuned air intake so nothing in the design (nor is it intended to) is going to create HP gains.
Does a snorkel affect fuel economy?
Purchasing a snorkel ought to improve your car’s performance at most engine speeds. Furthermore, it should reduce fuel consumption and make your engine run cleaner. Not all snorkel body designs produce a cold air induction effect. This effect improves fuel efficiency while also improving engine power.
Does a snorkel increase wading depth?
Does a snorkel increase wading depth? Yes, it does, providing the snorkel is properly fitted and sealed off. Some of the genuine snorkels are simply fresh air extensions, and are not completely sealed, which means if you do end up in water that’s quite high, it can leak in and still do damage.
How deep can a Toyota Hilux go underwater?
700mm Hilux can wade through water up to 700mm (27.5″) deep, so if possible, scout the crossing on foot to check the depth. With Hilux in four-wheel drive, drive slowly into the water in a low gear.
Do snorkels work on petrol engines?
Whether your car has a petrol or diesel engine, it uses an air/fuel mixture to create combustion. Because installing a snorkel raises the air intake to roof height,where the air is cooler and therefore denser, you can burn more fuel more efficiently.
Both petrol and diesel engines could stop if they ingest enough water, stranding you in the middle of a water crossing. Like we said before, if regular deep crossings are on your agenda, fit a snorkel, which raises the air intake point.
How do I protect my alternator from water crossings?
Water Dispersant.
Carrying a can of water dispersant can be useful in protecting your 12v electricals. Regularly clean your electrical components and give them a light spray. Having this spray can also be helpful if your engine stalls or has problems after the crossing.
Do you need a snorkel for water crossings?
If you are intending any water crossings, it’s highly recommended to install a snorkel. Compression locking an engine can be extremely costly. Preventing water ingress is just one of the several benefits. Installing a snorkel means your vehicle is taking in air from much higher and this means cleaner, less dusty air.
Do petrol motors need a snorkel?
Although significantly different, both petrol and diesel engines require a steady flow of air to operate. If the vehicle is not fitted with a snorkel, they do this by sucking air through the inner guard of the bonnet or just behind the grill.
Can you drive a car with a snorkel in the rain?
Even when driving in the rain, a snorkel can keep water out of your air box. Bryan, of Safari 4×4 Engineering, explains that the grid at the opening of the snorkel causes rain and moisture to hit the walls inside of the air ram.
At its core, the intention of a snorkel is: To raise the level of the air intake to reduce the chance of water entering your engine when crossing water. A higher air intake will reduce the amount of dust entering the system. To allow cooler air to enter your engine.
Which way should a snorkel face?
Just point it forward like it’s meant to be, because there’s absolutely no reason to face it backwards. If there’s dust, it will find it’s way into air filter no matter what.
Is a stainless snorkel better than plastic?
A stainless steel snorkel will afford structural rigidity and robustness, and it will be corrosion-resistant and of one-piece construction, meaning it’ll be just as capable as plastic snorkels for desert and river crossings.
Which way should a 4wd snorkel face?
How do you wash snorkel socks?
Insofar as cleaning the snorkel sock is concerned, as per the UniFilter cleaning and oiling instructions, you need to clean the filter with mineral turpentine or Unifilters own cleaner, and then re-oil with Unifilter’s Filter Fix oil, which can be bought separately.