D4 Snorkel

[rhinosm]

I am picking up my new D4 SDV6SE today.
I have been planning some additions and following with interest some threads.
Excellent stuff.
I haven't noticed much talk about snorkels.
Landrover v 3rd party?
Are they really necessary for outback/ desert adventuring?
Any thoughts and opinions greatly appreciated.
Cheers

[Stuart02]

I am picking up my new D4 SDV6SE today.
I have been planning some additions and following with interest some threads.
Excellent stuff.
I haven't noticed much talk about snorkels.
Landrover v 3rd party?
Are they really necessary for outback/ desert adventuring?
Any thoughts and opinions greatly appreciated.
Cheers

Re general requirement for a snorkel the D4 is no different. The factory raised air intake is not water proof without sealing. Safari make the only quality aftermarket option.

[Catmatt]

When I bought my 2010 D4, it came fitted with a LR 'raised air intake' as well as a host of after market accessories. I had heard stories doubting the water-tight integrity of the OEM 'snorkel' and that they have a fabric style 'membrane' tube that runs from the lower intake through the inner engine bay panel into the air-cleaner.

With this in mind and that I usually don't think twice about tackling a water crossing, I decided to remove the 'raised air intake' and have a look for myself.

If I found the alleged fabric style tube, I planned to install a length of rubber suction hose (The type that has a spiral wire wound around the outside perimeter) as it would be flexible enough to negotiate the bends through the inner engine panel, be water proof and last the life of the vehicle.

Well fortunately, the previous owner was fastidious in ensuring that all T's were crossed and I's were dotted. It seems that we both had the same thought and once I had dismantled the air intake (Not a hard job), I found that a length of convoluted hose similar to the hose off a swimming pool vacuum had replaced the original 'fabric tube'.

Only downside is that I didn't get to see what was originally installed - can anyone confirm once and for all that the OEM 'raised air intake' is fitted with a fabric style hose that while dust proof - may or may not be water proof???

I can't help but think that if something is dustproof - it should also be waterproof.

Thanks

[laughto]

I haven't noticed much talk about snorkels.

Are they really necessary for outback/ desert adventuring?
Any thoughts and opinions greatly appreciated.
Cheers

I too am in a quandry as to whether or not a snorkel is a necessity. At what depth of wading/river crossing would you need one?

A friend of ours (Prado owner) has been convinced by the 4x4 aftermarket that they need one, suggesting that if for nothing else, the engine breaths easier. I have spoken to mechanics who refute this.

Also, what level of noise do they generate? Is it an issue? I suspect that the D4 is soundproof enough that this should not be an issue?

We are not ever likely (intentionally) cross deep waterways.

[SBD4]

The other reason you would have one is to minimise dust getting into the air filter when travelling on unsealed roads etc especially when in convoy. If you are not planning on doing much of this either then, no, there is no real need for you to have one.

[Tony V]

The main reason for the raised air intake is for cleaner, cooler air into the engine. The ingress of water is/can be a secondary advantage.

I have a Safari snorkel fitted to my D4 there is little noise, it does not obstruct vision and when doing water crossings, the knowledge that the air intake is water tight. I do not believe that there is a "Ram" effect for forced breathing, but I do know the air is cooler and cleaner 6 ft up :cool:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/03/249.jpg
photo courtesy of ARB

[LandyAndy]

Make sure you look for a quality RAI,those cheap Ebay ones look cheap and nasty in the flesh.Would I trust one,nope.
I had a genuine Safari snorkel on my D2,would go the same again I think.
Andrew

[LRD414]

I agree with Sean & think it depends somewhat on how often you will be travelling on dusty roads and particularly in convoy.
I decided to simply carry an additional air filter on long outback trips.
They can be had for $40 each for the Mahle genuine article from roverlord offroad spares:
Land Rover Discovery 3 Range Rover Sport Quality Mahle AIR Filter PHE000112 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Land-Rover-Discovery-3-RANGE-ROVER-SPORT-Quality-MAHLE-Air-Filter-PHE000112-/252316839767?) (same filter for D3 & D4)
Actually, I carry two just in case and because it's cheap.
For example, I changed it at Cape York and it still had some life in it.

Obviously not relevant if you have concerns about water crossings.

Cheers,
Scott

[Bytemrk]

As the others have said, the primary reason is clean cool air.. not water proofing....

Take a close look under the bonnet, there are a LOT of joints that could leak water. I have a Safari Its good, its strong it's reliable..... does it make anything under the bonnet any less likely to leak if you get water too high in there .. nope.

Be aware it will also give you significantly more wind noise when travelling.

So to answer your question - -is it essential.. not at all. Is it a good idea, ?.. that depends what you are wanting it for - but don't rely solely on a snorkel to let you wade deeper water than you might otherwise.

[ADMIRAL]

As the others have said, the primary reason is clean cool air.. not water proofing....

Take a close look under the bonnet, there are a LOT of joints that could leak water. I have a Safari Its good, its strong it's reliable..... does it make anything under the bonnet any less likely to leak if you get water too high in there .. nope.

Be aware it will also give you significantly more wind noise when travelling.

So to answer your question - -is it essential.. not at all. Is it a good idea, ?.. that depends what you are wanting it for - but don't rely solely on a snorkel to let you wade deeper water than you might otherwise.

I second the comment on the noise. One of the items I would not fit to a new one if I had my time again. It's like off road tyres. If you look objectively at what you use the vehicle for, and how often you will use the capability, it is probably less than 5% of the vehicle's driving life. That's a lot of noise from a snorkel ( or tyres ) for what ? Have a good think before committing.

[SimmAus]

Each to their own on this...
Cleaner air on country trips - yes
Anywhere near water - my view was an unexpected / unseen river bed drop off / hole with the drivers side dropping and the engine could be gone. The side of the vehicle with a gapping air intake underwater was not something I wanted to experience.

If you are driving around town...no need for a snorkel.

[LGM]

I have had my 2011 D4 since new and almost at the very fist instance had a Safari snorkel fitted. I did this as I live in the country and do a bit of dirt road driving. So my primary reason is to lift the air intake out of the general dust zone. The guys servicing my vehicle, Whyatt's in Geraldton, have remarked on more than one occasion how clean my air filters have been when they have gone to replace them during servicing. None the less I still replace them. I am a bit anal that way!:p From memory (it is roughly five years back now) there was a slight increase in air flow noise once the snorkel was fitted. This additional 'noise' is not noticeable when the drivers window is closed. You can also hear a bit of induction noise when you put your foot on the 'loud pedal', again only with the window open and just as Tony V has said " there is little noise".
So there you have it, if you reckon you are going to do a bit of dirt road / off road work and maybe the odd water crossing a snorkel could be handy. Take note of LandyAndy and LRD414's comments as they are also good points for consideration. In the end like most other things it's down to your personal preference and your estimation of your potential vehicle use. In any case get out there and enjoy the great vehicle you now have!:cool:

[aus86inch]

I have one of the cheaper snorkels fitted from a guy based near Samford Brisbane, he claims that he gets them from safari factory. I did compare against a safari and the plastic seems very similar, shape is exactly the same but it has discovery 3 stamped in it.
Anyway with the pre cleaner on the induction noise is extremely noticeable, i got this only for real bulldusty roads, easy to swap over from ram head. The ram is quiet with window up.

[Stuart02]

I have one of the cheaper snorkels fitted from a guy based near Samford Brisbane, he claims that he gets them from safari factory. I did compare against a safari and the plastic seems very similar, shape is exactly the same but it has discovery 3 stamped in it.
Anyway with the pre cleaner on the induction noise is extremely noticeable, i got this only for real bulldusty roads, easy to swap over from ram head. The ram is quiet with window up.

I used to love the snorkel induction noise in my D2. Each to their own huh! :)

[shanegtr]

Take a close look under the bonnet, there are a LOT of joints that could leak water. I have a Safari Its good, its strong it's reliable..... does it make anything under the bonnet any less likely to leak if you get water too high in there .. nope.


I agree, in particular the pipe that runs across the top of the engine fan. I've often wondered how well that would be sealed against water.

[AnD3rew]

I really don't think it is a must have item. I have a Safari one and happy it is on there however in the 5 years I have had it there is only 1 time I am pretty sure it saved me an Engine when I dropped into and unexpected hole in a river crossing and the water came briefly a few inches up the windscreen. However I am also pretty sure that had I not had the snorkel I would have been much more cautious and more carefully checked the crossing before plunging in. Also been happy to have it in the bulldust in the outback, but as others have said chuck a couple of spare air filters in and it is a much cheaper option.

It is noisier but that doesn't bother me, I quite like the induction noise.

[cjc_td5]

An ongoing project of mine is to design a chamber that I will have 3D printed, that will fit over the intake on the guard with a temporary pipe attached that runs up the A pillar. It will only need two screws to attach it to the intake plus some clips onto the A pillar molding. The idea is that it can easily installed when on a trip and removed when not needed.

[AnD3rew]

An ongoing project of mine is to design a chamber that I will have 3D printed, that will fit over the intake on the guard with a temporary pipe attached that runs up the A pillar. It will only need two screws to attach it to the intake plus some clips onto the A pillar molding. The idea is that it can easily installed when on a trip and removed when not needed.

That would help with dust, but it will need more under bonnet sealed pipe work if you want it to be waterproof.

[Catmatt]

Since my post in February, I've managed to get a lot closer to this subject after helping a mate look at water-proofing his OEM raised air intake (RAI) before heading off to the Cape this year.

We wanted to keep the profile of the RAI as it draws air from the rear facing inlet (Much better dust suppression) and has a very low acoustic wind level rather than buy an after-market snorkel.

So we stripped the RAI and air box out of his 3.0l D4 and had a good look inside and out.

I can confirm that the flexible 'hose' that runs through the inner engine bay panel is in fact a porous fabric membrane that will stop dust but won't be fully water tight....."Splash tight" yes but if it was subject to prolonged water immersion it will allow water into the air-box and eventually into the engine.

To make matters worse, the fabric membrane has no real protection from the elements as it is only the plastic inner wheel guard and a small outer metal "tube" that runs through the engine bay panel that protects it from rocks, dust and dirt. There are dozens of ingress points throughout the body, panels and inner guard that will allow water to enter.

Additionally, the rubber gaskets that are at each end of the fabric tube to allow air from the raised air intake housing through the fabric membrane and then into the air filter box will never be water tight as they simply press together.

There is no silicone style sealant or water tight double seals. The rubber gaskets maintain a sort of dust proof integrity simply by the pressure used to bolt the RAI onto the side of the car as well as the 'push-pull' fit of the rubber boot onto the air box.

The moral of the story here for those of you who do or don't have an RAI - and even for our city dwellers who may have to do a water crossing once in a blue moon is .....under no circumstances exceed the recommended wading depth of your D4 or you will drown your engine unless you have a water tight snorkel or modified RAI.

All is not lost however as with some careful engineering, you can make a water proof system by utilising some appropriate sized rubber elbows and a straight run of rubber or silicone tubing that are readily available from plumber suppliers, seal it with a proprietary sealant (My vote is for Sicoflex) and you will have a fully water tight and far better dust proof air intake system and still use the original OEM RAI! :cool:

[Grentarc]

An ongoing project of mine is to design a chamber that I will have 3D printed, that will fit over the intake on the guard with a temporary pipe attached that runs up the A pillar. It will only need two screws to attach it to the intake plus some clips onto the A pillar molding. The idea is that it can easily installed when on a trip and removed when not needed.
Make one for the L322 market and you would have a few customers I think

[Graeme]

The L322 doesn't have a tube between the air filter box and the vent. I happen to have a D4 one though.:D

[TerryO]

I have a Safari raised air intake on the D3, it is noisy even with the window up. I bought mine for dust rather than water ingress, but it is much better at limiting either.

The one thing that is quite annoying about the V8 D4 is it utilises both air inlets on either side of the guards so there is no option for a snorkel or in its case two snorkels.

[Graeme]

At least my L322 TDV8's primary turbo air intake is on the driver's side so a D3/D4 raised intake could be grafted with good dust reduction.