Why do snorkels on 4x4s face forwards? Water will get in?

Why do snorkels on 4x4s face forwards? Water will get in?

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Discussion

rcx106

Original Poster:

188 posts

118 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
Just fitting a "Safari" brand snorkel to my 4x4. One of these type snorkels. What I don't get is why do they face forwards? Won't that push rain water in?


cptsideways

13,535 posts

251 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
You can usually spin them round any way you want

100SRV

2,126 posts

241 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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I think the general idea is to force air in, perhaps in some way to compensate for the restrictions they introduce.

S0 What

3,358 posts

171 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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To take advantage of the ram air effect, is there not a drain hole with a rubber flap to let water out but not in further down the inlet tract?

rcx106

Original Poster:

188 posts

118 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
quotequote all
S0 What said:
is there not a drain hole with a rubber flap to let water out but not in further down the inlet tract?
Probably should be! I'll see about fitting one.

geeks

9,121 posts

138 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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You wouldn't get enough rain in there to be of any consequence, there isn't a drain on mine and it's fine!

rcx106

Original Poster:

188 posts

118 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
quotequote all
geeks said:
You wouldn't get enough rain in there to be of any consequence, there isn't a drain on mine and it's fine!
Is yours a branded one like Safari? Mine's a cheap copy.

PaulKemp

979 posts

144 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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If you are fording that deep it's time to buy a submarine
A proper snorkel would have a float valve to stop water getting in, yes your car would stop with no air but that's better than a hydraulic lock which wil bend conrods and trash an engine

PaulKemp

979 posts

144 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
quotequote all
If you are fording that deep it's time to buy a submarine
A proper snorkel would have a float valve to stop water getting in, yes your car would stop with no air but that's better than a hydraulic lock which wil bend conrods and trash an engine

rcx106

Original Poster:

188 posts

118 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
I don't go much above top of the wheels. But the original intake has multiple inputs, and one is right above the wheels! The main intake is by the headlight. I've fitted a new engine and want to protect it and I prefer to have at least a foot between the water level and my air intake. Sometimes as you go thru water there are hidden holes that unexpectingly take you an extra foot under!

So which brands have float valves? I'd be curious to see.

cptsideways

13,535 posts

251 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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I fitted one to my new'er Landcruiser 80, we have to ford a regular flood & it was often over the bonnet on my old 4" lifted 80 with 36" tyres!

rcx106

Original Poster:

188 posts

118 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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In fairness the airbox used to stop most water going in. I did have muddy water upto the bonnet and my air intake was covered in mud inside upto the airfilter but no further. But that was with my old high mileage engine so I didn't care. Now I've fitted a low mileage lump so not taking risks!