This month at Milner Off Road, we’re going to provide you with everything you need to know about snorkels, taking you through what they are, where to get one and how to fit it to your 4x4.
You may have seen other 4WD vehicles with these attachments and wondered whether you need one, and while they’re handy pieces of equipment, it’s important to get all the information first — so let’s dive in.
What is a 4x4 snorkel?
Any driver who has come across dusty conditions, torrential rain or fording rivers will know how harmful these things can be to an engine. This is because the air intake will be drawing in unwanted particles and water. That’s where a snorkel comes into play.
A snorkel is an attachment you can add to your vehicle. They’re usually made from treated plastic so that they can stand up to any test, and look a lot like an oversized human snorkel, snaking from the side of your bonnet up to the roof height of your vehicle. They’re designed as functional attachments for 4x4s primarily, but over the years the way in which they fit and blend with vehicles has also been taken into consideration.
How does a snorkel work?
You can think of your 4x4 snorkel as similar to one you’d use when diving. The snorkel simply moves the air intake to a higher elevation. This protects the engine by supplying only the cleanest air - no dust, no water. This basically means your engine can breathe in tough conditions, whether you’re traversing sandy and dusty terrain or driving through shallow waters.
So what are the benefits? Well, as important protective equipment, there are numerous benefits to snorkels for 4x4s:
- Cleaner, cooler air will avoid hot, dirty air getting into your engine
- Over time, you’ll have a more efficient engine because of this cleaner air causing fewer problems, maintaining a high level of engine performance
- You’ll be able to tackle shallow water without it being drawn into the engine - something which would ordinarily cause real issues for your engine
- If you’re using your 4x4 for work - especially in agriculture - not only can you prevent dust impacting your engine, but you also avoid drawing in any chemicals
- They look great, trunking their way upwards to give your vehicle a serious edge off-road
Where can I buy a snorkel for my 4x4?
You can get a snorkel for your 4x4 right here at Milner Off Road. We’re leading suppliers for parts and accessories for 4x4s worldwide, creating parts to suit a variety of makes and models to perfectly fit your vehicle.
When you purchase from us, you know you’re receiving high-quality parts designed to protect your engine. This is not the same when purchasing from private online sellers who may not be maintaining the same high standards across what they sell. We have been helping to provide only the best products to our customers since 1981, giving you peace of mind as well as the proper off-roading look.
How do you install a snorkel?
When you purchase a snorkel from us, we’ll provide you with everything you need — including installation instructions. Your kit will come with the plastic snorkel, as well as a template specific to your make and model to ensure a perfect fit. Some snorkels can be adapted for rear or forward-facing application.
Installing a snorkel will involve some bodywork in order to fix the snorkel into place. Under your bonnet, you will need to detach the existing air intake pipe - this configuration may vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. It’s important that if your insurance requires modifications to be listed that you let them know in order to avoid invalidating your coverage.
Whether you’d like to know more about how to install your snorkel or you’d like to know more about our range of products and how you can benefit, call our team of friendly advisors. We have a dedicated team on hand to help you with all your 4x4 parts and accessories enquiries - simply get in touch today. You can browse our extensive range of snorkels right here on the Milner Off Road site.