Snorkel

ryeder · 03-18-2011, 07:30 AM

The other day I was mudding through an area where the Missouri River and the White River converged with much of the trip kicking up the local gumbo and snow. I did hit some water that was deeper than I had anticipated which brought to mind using a snorkel. Questions: How restrictive are these units? Looking at the design they look to bring in more air than something under the hood. Any opinions?

**relgnarw** · 03-18-2011, 06:15 PM

I have one. I bought it as an insurance policy, better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. It doesn't restrict airflow if anything it brings outside air to the air box. My biggest problem was cutting a hole in my fender. If you do alot of tight woods trails you may snag a few branches.

rdtj · 03-18-2011, 06:22 PM

I have an ARB and its great, its made of plastic but that thing has taken some pretty serious hits from trees and its still good to go. Volant is another option but i believe you have to have theor intake system to put their snorkel on, dont quote me on that though. Im like relgnarw i got i got it as an insurance policy and it has come in handy more than a few times, like he said its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. The only thing is you have to silicone that thing up tight or its useless.

ryeder · 03-18-2011, 06:29 PM

I have looked at both and the ARB seems doable. How big of a hole does it need? Some feels wrong cutting a hole into the side of a perfectly good Jeep.

Cannonball · 03-18-2011, 06:49 PM

DOnt use em if you drive in the winter....... they like to ice up and snuff out the engine worse than a plugged air filter

But thats my opinion......

Besides if the water is deeper than my waist sitting in the Jeep im not liking it either so i dont need the snorkle

CB

ryeder · 03-19-2011, 10:22 AM

I was looking at the install pdf for the ARB snorkel and keeping your suggestion in mind..winter driving. Seems to me a possible fix here is a separate winter air intake box or a shutoff to change intake flow from summer to winter. Guess I am thinking out loud at this point. Ever seen this done before?

**relgnarw** · 03-19-2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeder

I was looking at the install pdf for the ARB snorkel and keeping your suggestion in mind..winter driving. Seems to me a possible fix here is a separate winter air intake box or a shutoff to change intake flow from summer to winter. Guess I am thinking out loud at this point. Ever seen this done before?

Why not just turn the snorkel intake around so it faces the rear? That way it wont clog with snow and ice.

EricsGreen98Tj · 03-19-2011, 11:12 AM

Hey Johnny9 made a KILLER homebrew Snorkel and he did a thread/write-up. Check it out there are alot of good thoughts and ideas in there.....

EricsGreen98Tj · 03-19-2011, 11:20 AM

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/ho...norkel-810246/

Hey I found the link

Check it out. What i really like about it is that i puts the snorkle on the drivers side, avoiding running intake tubes OVER the engine. Which makes the air cooler going into the engine. Plus you dont have 10+ feet of intake tubing to run

ryeder · 03-19-2011, 02:29 PM

Thanks for the link...He did some awesome work and it gives me some ideas...now...all I need is his talent..

EricsGreen98Tj · 03-19-2011, 06:50 PM

Dony we all!

Cannonball · 03-20-2011, 08:26 AM

You could turn it to face the rear ..... But this wont work in all cases. See when you are parked and a snow storm hits it drives snow into the scoop and when you start it will suck it in and clog the filter immediately. You will then have no air and lots of fuel flooding the engine and soaking the spatk plugs. I tried it and took it off......

Had a buddy who knocked his off in the woods too trees dont like em much. Great for the desert or driving on dusty roads and in water I guess..... but if you are doing it merely for deep water crossings there are lots of other things to consider too.

1) all your axle vents are lower and will suck water.
2) your transmission and transfer case vents are lower and will suck water.
3) your alternator is lower and wont like running submerged very long.
4) headlight connectors will corrode as will all other non sealed electrics
5) if you run with doors off everything inside will be soaked too (RADIO AMPS ETC)
6) ignition system must be sealed or it will get wet and engine will die
7) your gas filler will allow water IN also when capped too.

Re directing to the OE air box for the winter is a good plan..... ot perhaps watching your drive line to prevent too deep of water. I know it soulds funny but shouldnt you always know where your are driving before you drive it for the safety of the Jeep Passengers etc? Ok enough on that lol.

A Jeep factory TJ air box is designed to take advantage of the air bubble trapped under the hood for water crossing situations. The trick is to travel slow and let the water "wake" move ahead of the Jeep. If the water is splashing up over the hood you are going to fill your heater box with water too and this is a mess to get cleaned out. Also the way the OE air box is designed if water does get into the air box your filter will get wet and snuff the engine before you have any hydrolocking damage. Small amounts of water will drop into the bottom of the air box like a trap in a drain. Just be sure you always have a good gasket on the cover to ensure its sealing properly.

All things to consider before just going out and getting a snorkel. If you have all other areas addressed then a snorkel is a fine addition but its not the solution to deep water crossing only one small part of it.

CB

Brian86992 · 03-20-2011, 09:10 AM

The volant kit is very high quality but it does in fact require their CAI too. If you don't have any winter weather to deal with, you will probably notice no difference in driving. The engine should get colder air, but that also may be offset by the increased drag of the unit.

In addition to a snorkel you could route your stock air box into the cowl using either a DIY method or a kit that is sold. Once you've done that you can draw air in the cowl vent or cut a hole in the cowl and make a "hummer" style snorkel out of PVC, that depending on your design, could be extended if you plan on really sinking the Jeep.

Although people really freak out about waterproofing Jeeps it's actually not too hard. Protect your electronics, extend your breathers (including transmission and T case) and you should be good to go in short water baths. Overall, it is definitely worth buying a $300 snorkel and a spending a few hours prepping to prevent hydrolocking. As long as you don't treat it like a boat, it should be good to go.

ryeder · 03-20-2011, 02:45 PM

Thanks for all the geat info, cannonball. Many things to consider. Some I had thought of but many more I did not. Maybe I should stick to dry land...and buy a boat...

Cannonball · 03-20-2011, 06:54 PM

well the main thing I dont like is when deep water when I end up sitting in it I know I dont like it! and if the snorkel is taller tham I am sitting I know I cant breath to drive it unless I have scuba gear on and in that case Im still sitting in it........

Last time I sat in wet shi* I can remember I was in diapers and I didnt like it then............

But it is a personal thing, if wet nads do it for you go for it! LMAO They will be wet long before your air intake is under water (with the doors off of course)

CB