Snorkel In The Rain Snow and Car Wash
 

Hi All. I’m planning to buy and install a snorkel in the next month or so.

For those of you that have snorkels, I’m curious when you are driving in heavy rain or snow if you do anything to prevent excessive water getting into the air vent or experience snow build up. Do you flip the air intake backwards or do nothing at all?

I’ve watched some installation videos and I’ve seen some people drill small holes in the air filter box to drain water from rain.

Also, what precautions do you take when going to the car wash?

Thanks

Having the same, but no issue with the rain or car wash. Feels so lucky :music:

if youre talking about a drive thru carwash with heavy spinning brushes id be worried about the spinning brushes tearing a snorkel off or at least damaging it where it connects to the fender. those things play hell with my mirrors, I can just imagine what they could do to a snorkel.

Yeah I thought so too. There is one car wash that have the spinners for the roof. Another one just have hanging washing strips that swing back and forth. I assume this one would be safer. That said I wanted to hear if anyone take their 4Runner to the car was regularly.

The industry standard snorkel inlet is designed to drain water out before it travels down the inside of the snorkel body. As water drops enter the head, they hit the inside surfaces and drain out small channels. Any water that does make it past the head then has to have sufficient force to suck/blow it all the way to filter box. Most intake systems have water catches prior to the the filter too, making it even less likely for anything significant to get to the filter. Filters do a good job filtering small amounts of water.

It takes a LOT more than heavy rain to cause concern with a snorkel. Heavy snow on the other hand might cause issues after a while if it builds up on the grill. But we're talking really heavy snow for a long duration. You can turn the head around for those situations.

Drove through heavy rain yesterday for a couple hours and the truck sat in more wind blown heavy rain over night and this morning. I looked just now and there is a small puddle of water in the bottom and the filter is very dry. I think if it was an issue, the filter would still be damp from yesterday.

I don’t have one for this reason and unless you live in a desert or dusty environment there really isn’t a benefit.

I once clogged an air box on a stock truck, driving in a blizzard. Some fine Champaign powder on that ski trip. Lol.