Testing Snorkels @ ExplorOz

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Testing Snorkels

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 at 13:52

Snowy 3.0iTD

Article Overview - 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. View Full Article...

Hello

I write the technical articles for my local club magazine, now I have heard that you can test the seals on a snorkel by placing a piece of plastic over the inlet and seeing if the engine stalls. Now before I put this in to an article, I wanted to check if this could cause any problems with modern petrol and diesel engines?

Thanks in Advance

Snowy

AnswerID: 258290 Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 at 14:51

Mark Taylor replied:

Sounds good.. but be careful.

A guy at Volvo in Brisbane told me of a service manager in a Volvo Truck workshop in Scotland who had his "rug" sucked off his head, sent through the turbo, through the engine, through the turbo again and out the exhaust pipe.

Would have loved to see that!

I guess the filter would be your safety gate in your case.

Cheers

Mark T

Reply 1 of 6

FollowupID: 519567 Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 at 14:56

Snowy 3.0iTD posted:

Mark

I wasn't thinking so much of things getting sucked, I would stress to use a good quality heavy plastic, not a tatty shopping bag. But I more concerned if it would have any adverse effect on the turbo or engine computer. Plus I think a toupee would probably jam in the smaller engines found in 4WD's.

Regards

Snowy

FollowUp 1 of 1

AnswerID: 258307 Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 at 17:31

Member - Stephen F (VIC) replied:

G'day Snowy.

Just thinking about the same thing today, i have recently removed my toyo original snorkel because of a mounting issue.

I thought along the same lines as you with stalling the car, that lasted about 1 mili sec the next idea i had was to pressurise the snorkel system the with the engine off of course. After checking with safari they recommend the pressure system.

As i don't have a compressor i will do the tried and tested method of she'll be right and have a few snatch straps ready for the first crossing.

Regards

Stephen

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Reply 2 of 6

AnswerID: 258315 Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 at 18:23

geoff&Mandy replied:

Spray aerostart around joins with motor running.Revs will rise a bit if any is getting in.

Reply 3 of 6

AnswerID: 258322 Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 at 18:48

Graeme replied:

Most filter boxes have one or two water drains made from reasonably soft rubber. Blocking a snorkel will induce sufficient suction pressure to invert the rubber bleed/s and break it/them.

Separately the suction will then draw on the seal on the oil coolant supply to the turbo.

Then if the rubber feed pipe from the air filter box to turbo/or to the manifold is relatively old you could potentially induce early failure due cracking.

Would need to place lots of caveats on such a piece of advice.

Pressurising the system to say 5psi would be a better method. Soap solution on the joints and check for leaks, would be my recommendation.

Reply 4 of 6

AnswerID: 258353 Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 at 19:57

Member - Jiarna (NT) replied:

1. Find deep water, preferably croc free.
2. Drive into water until it comes over bonnet
3. If engine goes BANG the snorkel needs better sealing
4. Buy new engine and repeat procedure until you find and seal all the leaks (or run out of money)

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Toyota it!!
LC 80 series GXL diesel 1992
The person who says something cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.

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Reply 5 of 6

AnswerID: 258361 Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 at 20:41

Member - Leigh (Vic) replied:

In my troopy I reckon I could seal the top off and she'd make no difference whatsoever. It is a design nightmare straight from the factory. That probably why the safe wading limit is 700mm??

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Reply 6 of 6