Your Snorkel Isn't What You Think It Is
Most overlanders fit a snorkel for deep water crossings – and are surprised when the air filter still comes out wet. On my Land Cruiser J120 I show where water gets into the airbox despite the snorkel, and why the snorkel’s biggest everyday benefit is clean air on dusty tracks and in convoys.
TL;DR: Most people fit a snorkel for deep water – and are surprised when their air filter still gets wet. A snorkel raises the intake, it doesn't seal the airbox. Its everyday job is something else entirely: clean air on dusty tracks.
The air filter housing has small holes that allow water that has been sucked in to drain out. These holes remain open even when a snorkel is installed. So if you drive through a very, very deep puddle, water may still get into the air filter housing—even with a snorkel.
Myth 1: "A snorkel makes my intake waterproof"
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Why the airbox still gets wet
The air filter box is at the same height as the lower part of the snorkel—that is, roughly at (N). When you drive through very deep water, water can get sucked into the air filter box through these drain holes:
Myth 2: "A snorkel is only for water crossings"
A snorkel is especially useful when you're driving in a convoy on dusty trails. It allows you to shift your air intake from above the glove compartment (N) to above the windshield (R). If you also use a cyclone filter in combination with the snorkel, the dust is further reduced by the turbulence created inside the cyclone. On the one hand, the higher intake point (R) draws in less dust, and on the other hand, the cyclone filter reduces the dust that still gets in.
What this means for you
- Check airbox drainage and joints – know where water can get in
- Close the drainage holes when driving through deep water
- On dusty tracks: this is where the snorkel and a cyclone will pay off
- Inspect the air filter after driving on dusty trails and after driving through water
Bottom Line
A snorkel is a raised air intake, not a waterproofing kit – and its biggest everyday benefit is dust, not water.