Blocking a snorkel - what happens??

[Brownie]

I am interested in testing how waterproof the snorkel installation is on my Paj.

If a large plastic bag was put over the top of the snorkel, and the running engine stopped, this would imply that the snorkel installation is air tight, and therefore it would be reasonable to assume it would be water tight.

If the engine dropped revs and struggled to run normally, this would indicate an air leak in the snorkle system, but would this mean the installation might or might not be water tight?

If sealing the snorkle head resulted in no change to a running engine, does this mean there is a big air leak, and that it is unlikely to be watertight?

Many snorkles also have a drain facility to allow rain water to drain out of the snorkle - does this provide an alternate air path into the engine, if you blocked off the main intake?

Has anyone done any testing along these lines? How would you test to ensure your snorkle does not allow water into the engine without parking in some deep water and exposing the engine to potentially expensive damage?

[markpeh]

Have been told that blocking the snorkel head is not wise. It might suck seals in or something.

[Pajshomoneroguntero]

Might be better to think the other way and rig up some way of inflating the snorkel with compressed air and measuring the leakdown.

Another thought is to obviously detach from the intake at the point where it would be unwise to allow water beyond and fill the snorkel with water. Would need to plug any drain holes though.

[dolphin]

yes a snorkle is only as water tight as you can make it. every joint will not be water tight unless you have sealed them.

[Steve_H]

To test my recent snorkel install I was advised to remove the snorkel head and cover the snorkel tube in a strong plastic bag, this should then stop the engine. I did the test and the engine sucked on the snorkel and broke the silicone seal on the airbox inlet and broke the rivet between the snorkel and the airbox.

I plan on removing the airbox next weekend, cleaning it up and re-applying the silicone seals and then leaving it alone.

[Brownie]

Steve, your experience certainly backs up Markpeh's advice that blocking the snorkel is not wise. Last thing you really want to do is suck all the seals into the air path.

How else can the water proofness of the snorkel installation be tested ?

[Nab]

How water proof does a snorkel have to be? I imagine if a little bit of water gets into the airbox gravity won't allow it to get sucked up as the air from the snorkel head had less resistance. Make sense?

[my.paj]

You could take off the head connect your leaf blower (on low revs) remove intake from after the air cleaner.
Rick

[my.paj]

How water proof does a snorkel have to be? I imagine if a little bit of water gets into the airbox gravity won't allow it to get sucked up as the air from the snorkel head had less resistance. Make sense?

I think its more about pressure from the water when its up over the air box and when you put the foot down to get out or thru the water in gets sucked in.
Rick

[Wanderer]

Could try spraying a little bit of Start ya bastard/CRC or similar around any joins and listening for engine rev changes, definitely works on petrol engines, not sure about diesel tho?

[Brownie]

Could try spraying a little bit of Start ya bastard/CRC or similar around any joins and listening for engine rev changes, definitely works on petrol engines, not sure about diesel tho?

Cool idea - doesn't sound like it could do any harm

[m_and_m]

How about some soapy water around the seals, disconnect the air intake hose to the intake manifold, block snorkel, and gently pressurise (vacuum on blower) to see if leaks at joints.