The first snorkels appeared during World War II, when they began to be used on submarines. Thanks to the snorkel, the submarine could stay under water for weeks without floating up or falling under the sight. Today snorkels can be seen in all-terrain vehicles capable of wading across small rivers.
What is snorkel
The snorkel is a double tube that serves for the supply of fresh air and for the outflow of exhaust gases. Equipment for submarines allowed them to be at a depth of 15 meters, while the pipe had a slightly longer length, a diameter of 30-40 m. For troubled waters, special valves are provided that prevent water from entering the diesel engine through the holes.
The design of the mid-twentieth-century snorkel was imperfect: the float often got stuck in the hole, exhaust gases escaped, and fresh air could not get inside - as a result, the air in the submarine became rarefied, poorly breathable. Modern devices are equipped with compressors, filters, control equipment.
Snorkels for car
For motorists, small devices that can be installed on any SUV are more interesting. A snorkel for a car is a special water intake pipe, which is taken out from the air filter to the roof or hood. Thanks to such a device, the car gets the opportunity to force small water obstacles - while water does not enter the engine, it is protected from water hammer. In addition, the snorkel is useful when driving on dusty or sandy roads, the air filter gets dirty much more slowly.
The snorkel should be chosen taking into account the make of the car and the driving conditions. For dusty roads and small puddles, simpler models are suitable, and for crossing rivers and extreme off-road driving, it is better not to save money and choose a reliable snorkel that can withstand the weight of the car. It is necessary to select a particularly durable model if it is located under the wing, otherwise the pipe may burst from temperature and mechanical loads.
The most important part of installing the snorkel is to ensure the tightness of the joint between the pipe and the standard air intake. At the same time, it is not enough just to fix it, there are other holes in the air supply system, for example, a valve for water drainage, the cover on the air filter housing may not fit snugly. All of these openings must be securely sealed.
When choosing a snorkel or making it yourself, you should take into account the diameter of the air filter pipe. If the air duct is smaller, the engine may run out of air, especially for a turbocharged diesel engine. It is better to turn the snorkel nose in the direction of travel so that dirt from under the front wheel does not get into it.
