Abu Dhabi Off-Road Club Forums

Last weekend we were caught in a bit of a sandstorm. Afterwards, instead of just blasting air through the filter I used a vacuum cleaner and collected most of the contamination. This was after slapping the filter against a tyre on removal to get rid of the worse.
This filter is 4000km old with about 160km in the desert. Its a standard JKU with no snorkel. It had been air blasted clean during the week before the run. The picture says it all:

I think mine is due for a good clear out too, the k&n one has been on my car for 4 months or so now and probably seen 1000+ kms in the desert! (And 10-12k or more on tarmac). Have noticed car feels a bit more sluggish lately

Martin, I cannot endorse the use of a snorkel more than I have already. I know of at least half a dozen 3.6L Pentastar engine changes in JKs caused due to ingestion of dust (not sand!) which passes through the stock filter. When new, the stock filter is very effective, and does remove dust as well as the larger sand particles. After a reasonably short time, the dust holding efficiency of the filter reduces significantly and allows some to pass through into the engine intake manifold. Pre-snorkel, I used to change my filter at least every 5000km, and clean/hoover/blow it out after every drive. I also fitted a ladies stocking (10 denier!) over the under bonnet air filter inlet to reduce the amount of sand getting into the air filter box. Since fitting the AEV Snorkel and Dust Separator, I have had ZERO dust or sand inside my air filter box. I check it every now and again and the filter is still as new after almost 20,000km.

So, despite critics of the Snorkel who insist you lose power, which on a dyno you probably do, the added safety net of nothing being able to enter the air intake system (if you have the dust separator fitted, not the open ram air intake), almost ambient air temp, where nominally the air to engine is reading about 6 deg above ambient (compared to 20-30 deg on stock system, worse in summer!) What this means in real terms is that as cooler air is less dense, you can get more air into the engine, allowing more fuel to be added by the ECU to create more power! Add the fact that there is zero risk of engine damage caused by dust ingestion, I thoroughly recommend fitting a Snorkel, especially the AEV system.

I am sure there will be comment from others - lets hear their pros and cons!!

Used to have double the amount of sand in my airfilter in the Toyota after every drive. Since the snorkel is on there s no sand inside!

I agree completely with Jeremy's post above.

With no snorkel, Susanne and I used to dump 5-10 times the amount shown in Martin's photo after every advanced drive. We went with K&N's just because we were cleaning the filters so much. I went on drives where I had to stop and clean the filter during the ride to keep the pentastar above 3,000 rpm.

Since adding the snorkels there is little or no sand entering the filter housing. The difference cannot be overstated.

For Jeeps, the brand is also important. Susanne started with another brand, but after three trips to Ramy we couldn't get it to seal around the filter. He took it back and gave me credit on a AEV model and we have had no problems since.

Everyone recommends a truss for the front axle on the JK, but the front axle is a lot less expensive that a new engine.

Hi Violetta which brand snorkel did you fit to FJ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Snorkels are normally used to prevent the engine from ingesting water when fording streams or water-filled holes, but it does seem that raising the mouth of the intake system also prevents most of the low-flying dust and sand from entering the intake system too.
Yes, a snorkel does reduce engine HP output but keeping the engine's innards dust-free when driving in the desert takes higher priority.

Zeebzog wrote:Hi Violetta which brand snorkel did you fit to FJ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lee I believe the ARB brand (Safari) is the best option for FJ. Maybe some FJ owners can advise??

I started this post with no intention of fuelling the snorkel debate but just to illustrate how much sand is collected by the filter on a normal run. In the past (despite advice given) I didn't clean my filter every trip and I bet many other members are the same. Also when blowing out the filter with a compressed air hose there is no real indication of how much sand and dust is extracted. After last weekend I did the same process and not only collected the sand but weighed it - a staggering 289 grammes. Needless to say I am now ordering a snorkel. "Jeep thing" aside for all other members who are not cleaning filters every time now is the time to start!

Martin

Violetta21 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2016 1:51 pm

Used to have double the amount of sand in my airfilter in the Toyota after every drive. Since the snorkel is on there s no sand inside!

Me too, do you have any solution for this Toyota air filter?

P/s: a snorkel is good.

Woohoo

You reminded me of old days when we use to Offroad full day and then go to ADNOC Station or tyre shops to stay for more than half an hour using their air to blow out sands.....

It's a Jeep Thing and it's a lovely thing to do each time.

Good luck with snorkel.

brentpham wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 06, 2018 10:48 am

Violetta21 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2016 1:51 pm

Used to have double the amount of sand in my airfilter in the Toyota after every drive. Since the snorkel is on there s no sand inside!

Me too, do you have any solution for this Toyota air filter?

Put a snorkel.