Waterproofing airbox when snorkel fitted

[Grey Nomad Member Find all posts View Profile Close Grey Nomad]

Hi all

I have searched for this particular topic as there is a lot of snorkel related stuff here but not the information that I am after.
I have had a Safari snorkel fitted and noticed that, as well as plugging up the 3 holes at the bottom and the one at the top of the air box, they have also plugged up the one way valve. This valve is intended to spit out dust, insects etc that want to make its way into the air box.
I fully agree with waterproofing the airbox but what do other PP'ers think about negating the effect of Mr Toyota's dust extraction system?
Maybe with the intake so high, there won't be any dust but there sure as hell will be a whole bunch of insects!
Incidentally, the Prado doesn't have the big pre-spinner that some other Toyota 4WDs have so maybe the dust extraction isn't so effective.
Any comments please.

Cheers - John

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

Re: Waterproofing airbox when snorkel fitted

I have had our Safari snorkel on for about 3 years now.

It does gobble up a few bugs and dust. and that stuff does collect at the bottom of the airfilter housing before the air goes up through the filter.

I have left the holes and the check valve as is. But thats my preference. My thinking is that if I was to go ploughing through water deep enough for the water to be constantly up around the holes i would seal them up before going in.
I leave the holes open for day to day stuff to let rain water out...

Jeff.

[Steve & Sandra Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve & Sandra]

Re: Waterproofing airbox when snorkel fitted

I would leave the holes and the vacuator valve open. You could plug the holes with tape or blutac if you are going to ford a water crossing with a depth to cause concern. The vacuator valve needs to be periodically cleaned as they will block up. And if you stick your head inside your air box you will see there is a spinner (admittedly not as big as others but its not the size that matters) in there which imparts a spin on the air to throw the heavier particles away from the filter. The air box will also collect a little amount of water and mud depending on where you take your prado to play so the drain holes make it easier to clean the air box out after wards. Something which Toyota don't do during servicing.
Cheers
Steve

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Re: Waterproofing airbox when snorkel fitted

John, I made sure that the Vacuator valves was left open when my Safari was fitted.

"These valves are part of the pre-cleaning stage of the air cleaner. The dust cap on the air cleaner is where pre-cleaned dust is collected. This dust cap runs under a slight vacuum when the engine is running. The normal engine pulsing of the vacuum causes the Vacuator valve to open and close. This action automatically expels any collected dust and water." Courtesy of one of the manufacturers of said items.

The design doesn't allow water to enter from outside unless the valve is worn or damaged in which case it needs replacing anyway. Or the water is REALLY deep and then you have other problems. So I would be getting it replaced by the mob that fitted your snorkel.

Michael

[Grey Nomad Member Find all posts View Profile Close Grey Nomad]

Re: Waterproofing airbox when snorkel fitted

Hi all

Thanks guys for your reinforcement of my beliefs.
I simply pulled a big plug of silastic out of the vacuator valve and everything is back to normal. I left the three little holes plugged but may even unplug them later if too much rain finds its way in.

Cheers - John