Check Your 4wd's Snorkel

If you have a 4x4 and like 4wding you will eventually have to do a river crossing or go into a mud hole. Having a snorkel installed on your 4wd is cheap insurance that can save you thousands of dollars of damage.
If you do hydrolock your engine you will likely bend the connecting rods in your engine, this is a very costly fix.
In this video I find out my genuine Mazda snorkel on my Mazda Bt50 has been very poorly fitted, virtually providing no protection when crossing deep water.

[@adventuredownunder2131]

Thanks so much mate, had a 4b trip coming up and u got me off my ass to go and check the joints of the snorkel and turns out it wasn’t even connected to the air box!

[@Reaper4367]

Well done on observing and correcting the factory fault before anything catastrophic could occur. Loving your channel. Cheers for sharing.

[@marksomerville1275]

Good vid, warning ..lot of dealerships, $120 per hour & the 18 year old apprentice does the work. Fitted my snorkel myself, all holes correct & rust sealed, used black urethane ( silicone wont stick to plastic). Also get a stocking sock & fit over the top pipe before refitting the head, stops bugs leaves etc.

[@muzzaball]

Yes Michael, incredibly important that ur Snorkel is watertight. Good insurance is to check the fitment when they come pre-installed!! Thanks for sharing.

[@rooster8039]

Another rad vid...🤟...Going to check mine out, it's a genuine Nissan snorkel. Thanks for the tips...😎...

[@vevohoeyo]

Nice Video, abit disappointed you didnt replace the whole snorkel as that was a terrible design and job

[@TimsBitsnPieces]

Great video once again. I'll add that to the list of things I need to check on my 80 series..

[@russellgaskin7995]

Marine grade Sikaflex is what you need to use. Silicone dose not stick to plastic really well as you have seen on the original install

[@patricklawlor2911]

Yes second the sikaflex, i use the automotive sealant and it can stick water together haha

[@fitzyholden1036]

Spot on mate. All they did was replicate the original bad job.

[@yuk-erkmckirk9277]

Grey sikaseal roof and gutter is what i use , sticks like shit to a blanket, even on wet surfaces. Very good on plastics, been on mine for 15yrs not one leak.

[@benhowell5790]

@@yuk-erkmckirk9277 is that the good fc sika? About 10 bucks more than the normal sausages

[@adrainchester266]

Absolutely, why they used that crap is a head scratcher!!

[@gordonpeden6234]

Damn it! Now I've got to check my snorkel.....Another great vid, Thanks

[@KegRaider]

Gonna stick a TJM one on my Collie. They did an amazing job with my barwork, so why not :) Good vid!

[@matthutch5919]

Sikaflex is the best. Totally agree with the factory fitted comment. Awesome job finding the problem GR8 vid.

[@ozkite]

Great advice . Apart from the water you would draw plenty of dust in from the wheel arch when it was not sealed.

[@stuartkcalvin]

I like the way you roll. Thanks.

[@xotic8617]

Good video mate good to see another WA channel.. only thing I’d do differently is use sikaflex instead of the R & G silicone .. enjoy Karijini

[@milesabove5259]

Just like you said. Can’t trust the dealership jobs. Bought my Ute new and never took it back. Installed the snorkel myself and have had it stuck windscreen deep in a river, engine didn’t stop, everything got wet. I was fine to drive out and start drying it out. Keep it up lad. You’ve probably saved a few engines already.

[@justins380]

Great video. Its way better than when you started. He gives the same warranty I do. I call it a drive off warranty. You drive off warranty is done.

[@roymatthews2832]

I tested my snorkel by spraying "start ya bastard" around joints. Engine gains revs - it leaks.

[@Kurtz6603]

Rofl "start ya bastard." I'm hanging on to that one.

[@DamienBeltrami]

This was a trade secret

[@mattjohns3394]

@@Kurtz6603 it's a product name. Like a generic Aerostart.

[@Bigorse91]

Not a bad idea!

[@photografiq_presents]

@@mattjohns3394 You don't understand the meaning of generic.

[@martinm931]

Hum... that Sikaflex 227 polyurethane product sounds like the way to go. Toolbox staple. Idea for a new video; revisit the previous repair and see how it’s holding up? Has the Alu. Plate moved etc.? I think bonding loose fitting polypropylene air intake ducting, exposed to vibration, twisting, air intake pressure differential forces, temperature variations etc is actually quite a challenge. Thanks for a great channel and all the effort you put in. Just bought one if your t-shirts 👍

[@NH-gc6lc]

Brought and installed one of these yesterday and I have got to say it was a set up. No instructions and the template sits on the guard upside down. The biggest concern is the fitment of the snorkel to the S bent like you guys fixed up. Good idea lads

[@TheDl1000]

Good advice now I have to check out how our snorkel is sealed it was on vehicle when bought so who knows what might be like but ours looks bit like your version

[@maxgermasi3302]

AFAIK vacuum is not as strong as pressure. As long as the head ram is not blocked you will have very small amount of water coming into the air box during a safe water crossing. To fill up the air box completely with water via those minor unsealed spots you need to sit in water for quite a while, remember the rule if can't walk it you shouldn't cross it? Most of the safe water crossing could be done without a snorkel up to manufacturer wading depth, but if I had to sell snorkels for a living I would give a different comment ;-) Great videos mate keep em coming

[@hooknm4x452]

The snorkel pipe in my wheel guard area was completely disconnected and too short to have been ever connected. Had been through multiple over the bonnet crossings so was very lucky. Now rectified, was installed by a dealer.

[@Toggymok]

Mazda service department silicon - ingredients 100% snot

[@dingodazz3724]

For plastic to plastic silicone sealing, use acetic cure as it bites into the surface of the plastics better (it also sets quicker than neutral cure) - but don't use it on metal parts (e.g. bodywork) as it can corrode / rust these areas.

[@eclay91]

Are you thinking of selling merch? Loving the yellow! Great vids :)

[@zhofreecaballes7091]

nice one bro. thanks for this info

[@richardgroom8003]

Great video. Props for music by Teabag👍🏻👍🏻

[@scottmay5740]

Nice looking fox shocks in there 😁👍

[@JAX010800]

Many genuine snorkels are not intended for water crossings. They are intended to raise the air intake to allow more airflow and cleaner air. Which can sometimes be debatable like your circumstance.

[@MrHiroboman]

Exactly. Even Toyota ones are just "raised' air in takes.

[@SeekAdventure]

Hey Jax, your welcome to have your own opinion, but if you ask me it doesn't matter if a snorkel is made out of pvc pipe or if its a custom stainless steel unit, aslong as its sealed so its water tight, its going to work 👍.

[@craki06]

Jax - Gaming & More! They call them raised air intake to cover their ass, it’s called a snorkel it’s not rocket surgery to figure out what a snorkel is for

[@JAX010800]

@@craki06 Yes correct in what you are both saying. I'm just stating that you can't really call the silicon useless if it's intended purpose isn't for water crossings. I believe in stating that everyone should check their snorkels because the silicon is shit and could of killed the vehicle is quite wrong as you're basically stating that the snorkels purpose is to allow for a higher intake for water crossings when actual fact many are not intended for that purpose. This should of been much more of a 'hey look what you can do to a genuine snorkel if they are not properly intended for water crossings. Simply do this, this and this to seal your genuine snorkel.'

[@barje.waffles5461]

Nice job, MATE!

[@paulyg8375]

4” stainless one piece is the go 💯

[@jaymanxxxx]

the best thing I found to seal gaps is cut up a bicycle inner tube and use as a gasket, then hose clamps and crank on them, good tip with the metal spacer! using just Silicone risks vibration failure.

[@jackturtle131]

Good one mate

[@captainfrank01]

Alrighty! Very informative, I'm going outside to look at mine. Which reminds me - why did the walrus go to the Tupperware party? He was looking for a tight seal.

[@SeekAdventure]

I should have started the video with your joke I reckon 😂😂. Glad you found the video useful 🙂

[@captainfrank01]

@@SeekAdventure Lol, that's the spirit, do one on the next video!

[@eebags1]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@mr69it]

Another small tip is to silicone the relief valve in the air box shut

[@xwhite2020]

Toyota maate. Lol na cool video and a good pick up on your part. well done. I woulda used a automotive grade sikaflex product.

[@Gee-Wizz]

Yeah. Sika

[@thebob3712]

Yeah Toyota, like the vdj79s with 100 mm different wheel track , alternator basically at the bottom of the motor dragging through mud, fanboy haha

[@MrAfwarren]

also toyotas are only raised air intakes not snorkels and are advertised as such. they leak heaps

[@bossjohnson678]

I'm a Panel beater & 9/10 Utes that come in have a unsealed snorkel, Sikaflex for windscreen fitting is best for your type(turning a raised air intake into a snorkel). all quality snorkels will have a rubber hose running from the outer fender part to the air-box with hose-clamps sealing it.

[@scoobysid04]

I have the ARB safari, and one end is round(air box) and the other oval(fender). The clamps are both round and was curious if just sealing the oval end would help seal better with the clamp? ……thanks in advance Boss

[@bossjohnson678]

@@scoobysid04 bit of insurance is always nice, i usually add some sika & still use the clamps on both joints, makes it a bit of a pain to get back apart the next time tho

[@scoobysid04]

@@bossjohnson678 also what’s take on sealing the drain hole in airbox? Thank you for the help. I’m new to the 4x4 community….😎

[@bossjohnson678]

@@scoobysid04 just make sure the sealing nipple is supple & not being held open by anything, small sticks, nuts & leaves tend to work there way down there, if your vehicle is older You might want to get a new one if its perished (not supple or has small cracks forming)

[@scoobysid04]

@@bossjohnson678 ok thank you Boss 🤙🏼😎

[@jackshort3316]

Also check your turbo, I have a completely stock turbo and intake, the front air intake pipe completely fell off so it was sucking in dirty air because the hose clamp fell off.

[@rudedogii]

Wow time for longer brakelines!

[@troymortimer3487]

my disco 2 has a factory flexible join between the airbox and snorkel. maybe it worked when it was new but it let air in ten years later.

[@MrDJE1970]

Cool video as normal, don't have a car but my mate has a Nissan Navara with a snorkel and wondered! Your mate said "It's no Patrol", so he prefers Nissan Patrols? I'm back in WA, in from living in Japan 17 years and researching for my first dual cab ute, have you done a video on something like that I wonder? Any guys have input on a great one to buy? Of course I get the Toyota Hilux or Landcruiser, advice from most people around me, but need a bit of money left over to feed and educate my kids too!

[@BAH1981]

Dealership fitted snorkels are extended air intakes for dust not water crossing. Go to your local arb or TJM stores for proper snorkel

[@brenton728]

Hey mate, as others have mentioned most oem snorkels don't seal for water. They are simply to raise the air intake and not seal against water. Mitsubishi are the same to name one. Cheers bro.

[@SeekAdventure]

Hey Brenton, your welcome to have your own opinion, but if you ask me it doesn't matter if a snorkel is made out of pvc pipe or if its a custom stainless steel unit, aslong as its sealed so its water tight, its going to work 👍.

[@brenton728]

@@SeekAdventure 100% dont disagree with you at all. I just think the car manufacturers need to be clearer when selling their genuine snorkels as to what their purpose is. But you are correct, having it fully sealed will do the job! Cheers.

[@mullerandre95]

Victor Reintz Reinzosil or Elring Dirco sealant is my poison, seal up most joints& grommets. They are double the price of other brands but they work better than the normal silicone.

[@hardliquor4x493]

Great vid snorkles from factory are about as good as a condoms with holes the deeper you go the more expensive its gunna beee

[@CryptoCookie82]

As a panel beater. I would use Sikaflex Motor or Marine grade.

[@thnderdownunder9514]

Time for a custom airbox and snorkel ;). Yeah just drowned my car yesterday, got stuck in a bog hole and airbox and filter got a bit damp, lucky the engine didn't take any water in.

[@libertarian1637]

PL glues/sealants (polyurethane), VHB tape, or butyl sealants would work well, probably better than silicone. Butyl also stays water tight, sticky, and flexible.

[@Boxy92]

that is why i am the only one allowed to work on my car, used a fuck load of sika flex on mine. Great peace of mind knowing i did it and not some flog who was more concerned with home time.

[@ausguy4385]

This is why I went a metal one with Silicon hose joints with clamps. In time that will still fail like it did the first time

[@MacHaggiss]

Checked mine , ok mate 😎

[@shanevonharten3100]

That factory job was embarrassing. Good save on that. No sponsorship but safari snorkel on my hilux has a lot less joins and heaps better fit. Had water over the windscreen wipers no drama

[@HIKECAMPFISH-cq7hg]

Should get a meredith metel works snorkel 🤙

[@Jagermonsta]

Something i heard once is the factory will give you a snorkle but tell you it's not for water crossings, only for giving a cleaner source of air. depends on which factory you're talking about of course...

[@ballsyau1974]

Sickaflex all day everyday

[@James01234]

All depends on who installs it mate not the dealerships fault they employ the same technicians as anywhere else. We are a Mazda dealership and all of us in the workshop are 4wd enthusiasts 🤙

[@500846]

Hot air gun with a small blowup ball will stretch the plastic to close the gap at the air box. Rubber seals and hose clamps should be used on the round connections. Around the stupid rectangle sections reinforce with heavy duty duct tape. You can check for leaks with smoke from a electric cigarette. Block the air box & inlet with duct tape, pressurise the system with smoke.

[@lindsaywest5266]

Holy snapping duck poop mate! That's a shocker! I would have been straight onto Mazda and getting them to replace it. It's not a snorkel at all! It's just a piece of plastic show-pony garbage!

[@emu4wdadventures631]

Should use Mastic not silicon for snorkel as it doesn’t affect sensors. Steve

[@Tomdogful]

EMU4WD curious to know how silicone affects sensors?

[@aquaman5464]

After watching this I am questioning if i should go to my dealer to install snorkel

[@firedupadventures]

get a safari snorkel uses silicone hose and clamps to connect to air box

[@ilo2335]

How should you face the snorkel when off roaring? Front or rear facing? Cheers

[@rollyb5061]

a snorkel in side the wheel arch and a join in it! what were they thinking!

[@keilorplumbing]

Rough up all joints with sand paper. Clean all joints with grease and wax remover. Seal with sikaflex. Never have a problem

[@DenisKz]

i'm on smoko. leave me alone!

[@WUTANG-CLAN]

Chats 😎😎

[@Chopperdog]

I use a Safari snorkel they are the best plastic ones.

[@leopardskills69]

bicycle tube cut into o-rings. Put the rings around the Male fittings, it will take up the gapping, then some Silicone.

[@jaydenheidtmann7811]

I broguht a nissan navar with a snorcal on it who ever own it before me didnt do a good job putti g it in there is 2 masive holes at least 50mm round that should have been pluged

[@davidwarren4569]

If it doesn’t stick, 25 year silicone warranty is worth nothing. Roof and gutter silicone is for roofing I.e.metal to metal. Polyurethane glue expands to fill gaps and will stick to just about anything alternatively as some other commenters have said sikaflex or seal and flex. You can get them in 25 or 50 percent expansion or contraction grade.

[@nosaltiesandrooshere7488]

👍 👌

[@jasonhowe1697]

look's like a bog standard toyota snorkel I would likely bin the whole thing it wouldn't keep the dust out let alone water.. and that's on the outside of ute..rather than what is sticking in the wheel well

[@Mosesk1988]

Its defo no patrol haha! Patrol ftw!

[@drobs7279]

OMG - a yellow shirt!

[@slowboat6021]

why do so many manufacturers put the air inlet in the front guard?

[@erroneouscode]

Should of mentioned the necessity for diff and trans breathers too.

[@Zed483]

Sika Flex 👍

[@DarrenBoxhall]

Still needs to be sensor safe before the filter. Filter doesn't filter Fumes

[@mountainconstructions]

Dealership job, 1st year apprentice, here go fit this But those parts were pathetic!!! Rip it out and put a 1 piece 3" in there

[@benmathiasch9297]

You need a safari snorkel

[@tjmarx]

6:46 Funny, that's what he said when he lost his virginity too...

[@bernhardkinsky3611]

Do a smoke test to see if you got all the holes sealed,I found a single hole in a poprivet.

[@GI-AUS]

Checking my snorkel as soon as I get home...

[@tobeice68]

Nothing to do with this Vid but wanting to go from WA to Vic Driving my car and towing a trailer , I know it's 36 hours away and plaining to take at least 3 days to get there or more , just wanted to know any tips if possable please?

[@grantlawson9207]

Dont forget lid doesnt have oring so water can suck through between lid and airbox.

[@markdaniels9507]

Chances are genuine snorkels are not snorkels but raised air intake's! Better off with a real snorkel if your going in the water!

[@njp096]

Better seal the airbox lid, they leak like a sieve around the edge as the lid seals on the filter itself.

[@patwhelan5566]

Ok where do we get the merch

[@SeekAdventure]

Hey Pat, Thanks for asking! There seems to be a bit of interest in merch, should have an online store sorted out in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned 🙂

[@tgmor]

Pull it apart and do it again with polyurethane sealant, silicone does not adhere to plastic period. If that spacer falls out, the pipe will collapse again and immediately break the silicone free from the plastic pipe. First time you get bogged in a deep water crossing, it will end your engine.

[@freddyarroyo2508]

Somewhere on Mazda..... Sh*t!!! they found about the silicon!.... 😮😮

[@mynameisprivate158]

screw silicone for something you don't want to ever come apart get some marine 5200!

[@trev9874]

I would replace the bend with silicon rubber and pop rivet it all together with roof and gutter silicon

[@SeekAdventure]

That sounds great, please send me a link to a silicone bend that goes from an oval to a round end 👍

[@trev9874]

being silicon rubber that in it's self is the answer you measure the outside circumference of the oblong shape and match it to the inside circumference of the round silicon place it in very hot water and make it fit then pop rivet it ( you might find they are the same circumference. that is because of volume in must equal volume out otherwise their would b a choking effect if that is the case through it away and get a one piece one

[@rustynumbat]

@@trev9874 Assuming the area across the oblong and circle are the same does not mean that they will have the same circumference.

[@JoShUa_J78]

I can't find one for an 08 tahoe???

[@adamvadala1983]

That my friend was called a "raised air intake"

[@gladiatoralmousa5689]

I used windshield silicone. Strong like rubber will be forever

[@jfree1074]

Concrete warranty. As soon as you leave that concrete it is out of warranty 😂 now I don’t want to get one fitted 😢

[@2Littlecampers]

Wow! That install from the dealership is nothing short of disgraceful!

[@DerAngriff]

the installation IS a disgrace but that design is absolute rubbish too. It should be more of a interference fit.

[@user-vm4km7yt6e]

Possibly the worst snorkel design. I went to install one on my old ranger but opted out due to the rubbish connections.

[@bananaboat7950]

Should just go and get a safari snorkel or big name brand snorkel so you can trust it

[@azazeldeath]

My advice dont use factory snorkles I have not seen a good factory one that is sealed for water crossings. They are meant to be a clean air intake not sealed.

[@closertothetruth9209]

made in thailand?