Snorkels and the Carwash

[Sarco Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sarco]

Just browsing the blurb I got from the local Coles Express carwash (slow day) and it says do not use if a snorkel is fitted. I can see the point if the snorkel was one of those that sits up nice and straight and away from the vehicle body. Mine is an Airteck which sits quite flush with the body.

Is this an issue of potential damage to the snorkel from the rotating beaters and Coles don't want to be involved or, more seriously, to do with water ingestion into the snorkel head and thence down into the innards. I've been through tropical storms that I think rain as hard as a carwash (but not in a snorkel equipped vehicle).

Any thoughts on the matter?

[juc33_prado Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close juc33_prado]

only other thought could be the beaters could slide in underneath it and get caught and possibly rip it off it's mount? only plastic and a few pop rivets after all...

SAMUEL

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

Just browsing the blurb I got from the local Coles Express carwash (slow day) and it says do not use if a snorkel is fitted. I can see the point if the snorkel was one of those that sits up nice and straight and away from the vehicle body. Mine is an Airteck which sits quite flush with the body.

Is this an issue of potential damage to the snorkel from the rotating beaters and Coles don't want to be involved or, more seriously, to do with water ingestion into the snorkel head and thence down into the innards. I've been through tropical storms that I think rain as hard as a carwash (but not in a snorkel equipped vehicle).

Any thoughts on the matter?

I imagine its a damage thing...if it was only a high pressure water carwash, withoud the spinny brushy bits, you'd probably be ok..?

[Nightwolve Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nightwolve]

The water should not be a big issue, I think it's really a "what happens if something gets broken"-thing. Several car washes in our area even won't let 4x4s and transporters in anymore, because they had trouble with locked oder ripped off brushes - or damages on cars. 4x4s and transporters often are not that "smooth" like a normal sedan for example.

[Guest Close Guest]

I imagine its a damage thing...if it was only a high pressure water carwash, withoud the spinny brushy bits, you'd probably be ok..?

Yes, I would go into the touch-free version with a snorkel. Not the spinny-brush version.

[Sarco Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sarco]

Thanks for all your thoughts. Looks like I'll be washing it at home, not worth the hassle if it gets broken

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

I've taken mine there for the last 8 yrs without problems. Toyota won't put it through theirs at service, but I use the Caltex one. I guess you make a calculated risk assessment and go with your decision. I have thought of turning the head backwards, which with my Safari would solve many of the risks. Otherwise a hand wash station may be an alternative. The carwash is great after a dirty weekend. The initial spray gets the bulk off then the brushes remove the rest. I usually then follow up with a hand wash at home.

I'm not recommending it - just saying what I do.

[pradokakadudavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradokakadudavid]

All brush type car washes create scratchy swirls on the new paint work so for newer vehicles, this should be avoided at all costs. I used to use car washes with expensive vehicles until a service station manager told me to avoid them at all costs! Probably much worse for metallic type paint surfaces. With a large 4x4, I now wash mine for an aerobic workout lol.

[pradosteve97 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradosteve97]

I ve seen a couple of plastic bits of rubbish get caught on trees and ripped off in the bush I think its because they are likely to get caught and ripped off by the machine shawly water can't get in the end.

[Nik83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nik83]

Scared the shit out of me when i did it... No longer do it.