Snorkels

Let’s talk snorkels.

From factory, your 4WD’s air intake will typically be in the engine bay or a fender well. When driving off road, this exposes the air intake to excessive dust, other debris, water, and mud. Best case this will reduce the life of your filter, but in the case of water ingress it could potentially result in engine failure.

A snorkel on your 4WD elevates the point at which air is drafted into the air filter before entering the engine. The elevated snorkel head is clear of the excessive dust concentration in the engine bay or fender well, and above water level during water crossings.

If you have a snorkel, consider a pre-cleaner or even a sock-type pre-filter for the snorkel head to reduce the amount of dust entering your snorkel. For sock-type pre-filters, use dry (not oiled) as the oiled ones will quickly block up and reduce air intake and the dry ones are more easily cleaned.

If you do a water crossing that is wheel arch deep without a snorkel, maintaining a bow wave helps keep the water level low in the engine bay. See Water Crossings for more on this.

Once you have crossed, it is worth checking your airbox. If there is water under the filter, drain the airbox and dry it; but make sure there is no moisture on the engine side (top) of the filter.

A snorkel helps elevate your air intake clear of dust, debris, water and mud. But if you are regularly doing water crossings, there is something I suggest is more important than a snorkel.