Thread: RAI - making it water proof

If you read the thread on disco3 you will find out.

Basically other fixing methods rquire holes in the guard and I only need it more a couple of trips a year. Oh and itwas cheaper.

Originally Posted by Dorko

Hahahaha but thats the same regardless of RAI or not

Now that's something I hadn't considered! I will have to test it so that the reported noise isn't an impediment to fitting one.

Does anyone know if D3 snorkels will fit a RRS or is the slope of the windscreens are different?

Originally Posted by Dorko

Well I had my friend install it for me (He's Ex LR mech), and my impression of the RAI design is interesting to say the least.

Between the RAI itself, it only presses up to the body of the car with a rubber seal. Then there's a gap between the body/ inside the wheel arch guard and the pipe to the air intake. So if the wheel arch guard getts a hole, bingo water will go in the air intake pipe.

Worst still the replacement pipe i had to purchase separate for the RAI looks the bloody same, but even less water proof than the current. Oh and the replacement elbow has the holes in it, where the original doesn't. So i left the original on.

My friend said the design is very adhoc, but the elbows are design to let some of the water drain, then again if the engine bay is flooded the air intake would fill up. So basically its a catch twenty two!

The difference with the Safari one, is the RAI is directly connect to the pipe all the way to the air intake. So this makes the design water proof as there's no gaps.

In regards to the noise, there isn't any at all. I guess its because the air vents is at the back of the RAI unlike the Safari one. With this benefit on the LR one, it would be better for following and driving in dust as the air is not going in directly in the front.

Dorko

The noise from mine is great

With regards the seal to the wing, I've no idea if mine is installed differently to yours (done by LR as part of the event preparation) but when I had the windscreen replaced it meant removing the bolts holding the RAI to the wing with the intention of removing it to make replacing the screen easier. It was at this point we found out the rubber seal is stuck to the wing and the RAI with rubber sealant and can't be removed without damaging the wing itself, it's been effectively waterproofed to exterior of the wing. I'm guessing here (having not looked at it behind the wing yet) that LR made them more watertight for the G4 vehicles.

It might be water tight out of the factory, but with a few bumps and rocks thrown at it, i have no doubt it will leak.

Dorko

Originally Posted by garrycol

Does anyone know if D3 snorkels will fit a RRS or is the slope of the windscreens are different?

Yes they will, it's basically the same snorkle, originally the D3 snorkle was first fitted to a RRS

I know this because I know the guy who had it fitted to his RRS, first one in Australia, Ben is his name, has a Pajero now.





Baz.

RRS to a Pajero?

So what stage did LR change the snorkel head?

Meaning this photo shows the opening from the front, where the one i installed only sucks air from the back.

Sucking air from the back makes sense especially in dusty areas.

Dorko

Bit off topic, but I purchased and fitted a snorkel off eBay for my d3. It's as good as the factory Nissan one I fitted to my last vehicle, requires a bit of metal nibbling on the inner wing exit point, but it's fully watertight into the airbox. Took about an hour to fit. Drilling the windscreen pillar is the hardest part as it's hardened steel. No excessive noise with the window up. Cost was $177.00 !! For the whole kit. Cheap price to protect my tdv6 on those creek crossings.