Snorkel for D3

[ytt105]

I'm thinking about putting a snorkel on my 2005 D3 TDV6.

Will probably go for one of the ebay ones as I have heard good reports about them.

My question is, why do all the listing for the D3 snorkel say they fit 2006 onwards vehicles.

What's so special about the 2005 that they wont fit or do the adverstisers just not know their models.

[ytt105]

Also, I've noticed that some come with a flexible pipe from the air cleaner to the inlet, but some have a solid pipe.

I presume the solid pipe would be better, but is their a problem with fitting this that makes the flexible one so common?

[Canaussie]

I'd pay the extra for the genuine product personally and install yourself

[ytt105]

I will install my self, but why would I spend more than twice as much?

[Tombie]

I will install my self, but why would I spend more than twice as much?

Because cheap people spend twice!
Fitment, Quality, material, some cheap snorkels are porous etc.

It's not a $100 vehicle so why fit a $20 snorkel...

[Nomad9]

Hi ytt105,
The other thing is I suppose if you fit the cheap one you might well not be able to fit the expensive one later. Personally I have always fitted the Safari one which isn't genuine, (as far as I know, some times major brands rebadge good aftermarket products and charge more) somewhere in between genuine and cheap.

[rocmic]

Ytt105
I have just had a snorkel fitted. I bought one form a guy here on the forum, so it was one of those that go for about 200 - 300. I was not even tempted to fit it myself (even if it was a Safari I wouldn't be tempted to fit it myself, I just don't have the skills),
So I got it fitted by Opposite Lock in Rockdale when I got the Rear Wheel Carrier.
Issues were that the hose was not long enough and also was poorly made in that the end piece was just not stuck on properly at all.
Gordon at OL had to measure and remeasure, one bolt just was not long enough to reach the body of the car :eek:
That said now it is on, it seems to be fine
I will be passing through Canberra (and overnighting at Weston) on 15th April, if you can wait that long to have a look.
Cheers
Mike

[ytt105]

Thanks for the offer Rocmic, I might take you up on that if I'm back in Canberra then.

We're off on Friday for a couple of weeks camping and, lucky us, we don't have an end date set yet.


Anyone else who've fitted an ebay one got any comments.

[Tombie]

Ytt105

I have just had a snorkel fitted. I bought one form a guy here on the forum, so it was one of those that go for about 200 - 300. I was not even tempted to fit it myself (even if it was a Safari I wouldn't be tempted to fit it myself, I just don't have the skills),

So I got it fitted by Opposite Lock in Rockdale when I got the Rear Wheel Carrier.

Issues were that the hose was not long enough and also was poorly made in that the end piece was just not stuck on properly at all.

Gordon at OL had to measure and remeasure, one bolt just was not long enough to reach the body of the car :eek:

That said now it is on, it seems to be fine

I will be passing through Canberra (and overnighting at Weston) on 15th April, if you can wait that long to have a look.

Cheers

Mike


So how much did you pay for fitting?
And how long did it take?

[rocmic]

Tombie,
was around 400 for fitting plus a new hose, but I got the snorkel for 100 since it was surplus to requirements for a guy on the forum.
A bit more expensive that a Safari fitting (around 300 - 350) but I knew it would be. NOt sure how long - maybe 3 - 4 hours, Gordon was by himself that day so he had interruptions. Certainly didn't take as long as the rear wheel carrier - that was a marathon.
Cheers
Mike

[Graeme]

Anyone else who've fitted an ebay one got any comments.I got my cheapie from a 4wd outlet in Tas (IIRC) via ebay. It was somewhat dished on the inside where it mounts against the guard. I could have filled it with sand and heated it to correct the shape prior to fitting but made a longer stud to be able to start the most affected nut.

Its been fitted since July 12 and doesn't show any signs of degradation.

Correction - It was purchased from ebay not a 4wd outlet.

[ytt105]

Graeme

Any comment on the fixed vs flexible hose inside the guard?

[xoph44]

ytt105
Fitted one of the safari copies in January - cost around $115 on Ebay but came with no fitting instructions. Eventually found some on the web and they were pretty good.
I'm keen on having a go and proceeded carefully due to lack of mechanical experience. The money I saved enabled me buy a Dremel kit, some hardened drill bits, a set of step drills and a tube of Sikaflex for sealing.

Things I found out by being very careful and measuring twice and cutting once:

- the template for the A pillar and the holes in the bracket supplied were not an accurate match, easy enough to correct but wouldn't like to have re-drilled holes in the very, very, hard A pillar! Make sure you have hardened drill tips.
- the template for the cut out of the inner guard was also inaccurate - suggested much more be removed than was necessary, could have been very ugly. Used a small cutting wheel on the dremel with no problems.
- the top rear facing nut and washer used to secure the snorkel stud to the guard were difficult to fit - used my 12 year old son with very thin hands to squeeze into the tight space and start the nut.

Took all day but part of that was waiting for paint to dry and returning to the hardware to buy more hardened drill tips!

We were pretty pleased with the results, maybe it will succumb to UV and crack or fall apart - who knows? Worst case we buy a genuine replacement.

Cheers
Chris

[ytt105]

Thanks for the info Chris

Do you still a link to instructions?

Was yours the flexible or solid connection?

Regards
Trevor

[Canaussie]

Pay the extra for the genuine!!!! Serious and install yourself not hard. You would be able to complete in a half day and the quality is far that of a knock off. I have very detailed instructions off disco 3 website as well

[Graeme]

Graeme

Any comment on the fixed vs flexible hose inside the guard?
Mine's a 3L D4. I fitted the supplied flexible tube.

[rb30gtr]

If I went snorkel again, I'd go 3inch stainless steel mandrel bent and polished. They just look so much tougher.

I went for the Safari, I don't want to risk a 20 grand rebuild for saving $150 on a Snorkel.

Although I have read some positive stuff on the cheapies, but arent they just raised air intakes, not actually snorkels?

[ytt105]

They're all just raised air intakes unless they're installed and sealed properly.

Also, that's primarily why I want one, though I will make sure its sealed properly just in case.

[rb30gtr]

They're all just raised air intakes unless they're installed and sealed properly.

Also, that's primarily why I want one, though I will make sure its sealed properly just in case.

The Safari comes as a completely sealing kit, with directions.

Cheers,
Ben

[101RRS]

A snorkel kit is fully sealed - a RAI is not fully sealed.

I did think is there is a genuine snorkel - only RAIs. I thought all snorkels are aftermarket with Safari being the pick. However with some sealing work, the RAI can be sealed and turned into a snorkel.

Garry

[Dagilmo]

Hi Garry,

Do you have any details/tips about sealing the OEM RAI?

Is it as simple as pulling it apart and putting a sealer in the joins?

Cheers David.

[101RRS]

Depending on the model vehicle the pipe to the air filter has to be sealed or replaced so it is waterproof. Depending on model, there is an open drain hole in the bottom of the air fliter that needs to be plugged (there is also a hole that has a rubber valve that lets water out but not in). The actual RAI needs to be sealed to the body where it goes in at the side of the front guard.

Garry

[Dagilmo]

Thanks Garry. I'll have a look and see how I go.

Cheers David.

[Tombie]

Ritters do a 'kit' to turn a RAI into a Snorkle

[101RRS]

I just rang Ritters about this "kit" but they do not do them. What they do in their service section is what the rest of us do is put a piece of water proof pipe in (Clark Rubber) and use sealant to seal the rest.

Yes they can convert an RAI to a snorkel but according to my call just then, they do not sell a "kit".