Snorkel, water.. Why?

[Hiluxoverland]

Just thought I would start a topic snorkel related. Curious who has a snorkel and to why you now have a snorkel? What other water related precautions or "water related reliability mods" did you do before or after you decided to add a snorkel to your rig?.

I ordered a snorkel today, This is why

I met up with the guys a week ago for the Usual Saturday wheel at the local sand pits. We decided to explore a new area as it where, there was a puddle (small lake lol). I have the smallest rig of the bunch and the smallest tires being 31's. I followed Martin (TJ, 4.5" 33's Locked) through the puddle on what looked to be a shallow line. It was. Meanwhile Jerret (XJ, 5.5" Long arms, 35's locked, snorkel) nearly disappeared in the water about 30ft away he was on a mission anyways to submarine his XJ and try out his new snorkel. His XJ stalled so we where forced to cross slowly to pull out the dead in the water XJ. Martin was hesitant so I lead the way across because I'm an idiot mostly all well and good a few spots water came over the hood but my XJ didn't die. Martin winches Jerret's XJ out. We all played it safe after that and myself especially I followed the out side of the puddle around too the other side has to be shallower that way. Wrong. Fell into a hole, a deep hole, engine off, water rushing in through the doors. Wait to be rescued. Was a mess.

So having not actually damaged anything, besides my ego and some damp carpet my reason for the purchase of my snorkel was for insurance. Should I make a mistake or fall into a hole again I have the piece of mind that it won't cost me an engine.

 

[Daniel Etter]

Snorkels are meant for more than just water crossings, they help get the intake up and out of dust and other airborne debris. If you want to make your vehicle more water proof, then look into completely sealing off the whole intake system. Also sealing the ecu and other electronics in watertight boxes (pelican cases, etc...). Dielectric grease can help mitigate moisture from getting under coil packs and sensors, but it is not by all means a guarantee. In my opinion, if you don't want your vehicle to end up being a submarine then think through the situation thoroughly and understand the environment, your vehicles limits and your experience. Never risk something that is unnecessary. Also as a warning, most insurance companies now will automatically total vehicles if water enters the cabin. My dad is an appraiser and sees this all the time for flooded dealerships even though the cars still run.

 

[Hiluxoverland]

Great advice thanks Daniel, I have relocated diff and t-case and transmission breathers to higher ground. I have dielectric greased electrical components as well. I do like the fact that the snorkel will lower Intake air temps help keep the engine running a little better I would think.

I'm not looking to build a submarine just wanting to minimize potential problems that may occur when I make a poor judgment in the future. We all make mistakes it's how we Learn.

 

[AlysonH]

I have one and got it primarily for dust. I wouldn't mind a decent water crossing one day, but nothing that would breach the interior. Stinky, mildewy carpet is the worst. [emoji40]

 

[southdiver1]

Most of my wheeling is in the South Florida swamps. I have been hood deep for extended periods of time before and, on the Wrangler, as long as I have my doors on, I don't get water intrusion inside the cab.
I spray everything in the engine bay with WD-40 to help repel water as much as possible.

 

[Overland-Indiana]

I have a snorkel on my XJ, mainly for dust and dirt evasion. But, if i do encounter deep water (which is rare) I have the peace of mind knowing i stand a better chance of not sucking water in the intake.

 

[Lifestyle Overland]

I put mine on for heat and dust prevention but it is nice having a little insurance against the unexpected when performing a water crossing.

 

[MarkW]

Like others I installed the snorkel primarily for dust and heat but also for the added insurance of those "Oh Sh!t" moments. I have extended my breather lines and done some other precautions. I can deal with some electronics getting when and the interior though I don't want it to but I don't want to end up having to rebuild the engine.

 

[Hiluxoverland]

Well it seems like we are all on the same page for snorkels, did anyone else plasti-dip or use liquid electrical tape to seal up there distributer for those that have them?

@Southdriver1 I like the WD-40 idea, a friend of mine does that as well. Mind you he puts it on everything. I will give it a try as well

 

[Toyotadirtdevil]

I understand the situation of needing a snorkel but noone has mentioned about water being sucked into the exhaust system. What about putting a flapper on the end of the exhaust pipe which would stop water from back flowing in, wouldn't it?

 

[harv3589]

I have ours on primarily for dust as well and run the prefilter all the time...

 

[Hiluxoverland]

I would only really worry about the exhaust Michael if the engine where to stall out the back pressure created by the water might be enough to prevent the engine from restarting. Is still a good idea in the case that this does happen but for how well a metal hinge and metal to metal surface will seal no one really knows until they try. Maybe you can try it out and share your write up with us in the future?

 

[ravenplague]

I don't have a snorkel but if i did it would probably be just for the cool factor

 

[Hiluxoverland]

Fair play, at least you know what you like

 

[NetDep]

I don't have a snorkel but if i did it would probably be just for the cool factor

I'd have to agree -- that IS a whole lotta cool!!!

 

[Hiluxoverland]

^ lol, that's awesome

 

[4xFar Adventures]

I avoid water more than I avoid mud. The best thing you can do for an unknown water crossing is to walk the line on foot. Walk the driver side out and return to your vehicle walking along the path of the passenger side. Of course if you have to make a turn then all four wheels will take a different path. Carry a pole, or use a stick, to test the depth and surface ahead of you. If it's a flowing body, like a river/stream, it will most likely be deepest in the center. But, you only need one rut, or a slide off a rock to get in deeper than you hoped for.

I'm always amazed when people are willing to risk hydrolocking their engines over getting their shoes and pants wet. If water crossings are expected, you only need one person to bring some waders to test the waters for the entire group. Or, bring an old pair of boots and pants to wear. That is about the cheapest insurance you can have.

Oh, my Mantec snorkel is mainly for cooler air, and less dust intake.

 

[Hiluxoverland]

I usually wait for someone else to test the water first, the bigger more built Riggs are usually first to lead anyways. But we have all had those "oh crap..." Moments. Or know someone that has, that's how we learn.

 

[MarkW]

I avoid water more than I avoid mud. The best thing you can do for an unknown water crossing is to walk the line on foot. Walk the driver side out and return to your vehicle walking along the path of the passenger side. Of course if you have to make a turn then all four wheels will take a different path. Carry a pole, or use a stick, to test the depth and surface ahead of you. If it's a flowing body, like a river/stream, it will most likely be deepest in the center. But, you only need one rut, or a slide off a rock to get in deeper than you hoped for.

I'm always amazed when people are willing to risk hydrolocking their engines over getting their shoes and pants wet. If water crossings are expected, you only need one person to bring some waders to test the waters for the entire group. Or, bring an old pair of boots and pants to wear. That is about the cheapest insurance you can have.

Oh, my Mantec snorkel is mainly for cooler air, and less dust intake.

All good advice. A friend of mine carries a pocket fisherman pole with a weight on the of the line with a bobber set at his comfort level depth. He casts out and if the bobber disappears then it's too deep, if not its fine at least in that spot. Not as good as walking it but thought it was a pretty good idea.

 

[southdiver1]

I understand the situation of needing a snorkel but noone has mentioned about water being sucked into the exhaust system. What about putting a flapper on the end of the exhaust pipe which would stop water from back flowing in, wouldn't it?

As long as you keep the rig running, the water will not rush back up the pipe. I have stalled in the water before and never had a problem restarting it. I figure as long as I start it back up quickly then the water does not have enough time to climb up the pipes, fill up the muffler, and work it's way up to the engine.