Do snorkels help with MPG? Do they serve as pseudo cold air intakes?

To be honest, I can’t stand the look of them but do snorkels help with performance in any way? Or are they strictly for water crossings?

 

Snorkels are meant to reduce dust inhalation with the side effect of keeping water out too. They do nothing for power or MPGs. Intakes in general do nothing.

 

As previously mentioned, they are mainly for dust. They usually have drain holes, and the stock airbox has drain holes so their help water crossing is limited as well. If anything you may lose MPG because adding that non-smooth pipe introduces more restrictions to the intake system.

 

Hey OP, don't let these haters dissuade you from getting a snorkel. You'll easily get another 10MPG from your 4Runner if you slap one of those bad boys onto your truck. Rumor has it, you gain 18HP too.

When you get one, make sure you put a cap on it like this one. So it looks like you're driving around with a big plastic black dick strapped to the side of your truck.

 

I really would like to have a high air intake for cleaner air. The closest low profile one I see is TJM. I don't like other bulky ones. But the air seems to be taken right in front of the windshield where water and snow is splashed at.
Rust is a concern too with cutting at the quarter panel and rivets at the a pillar.

 

I want one that's so tall that I have to plan my route to avoid low overpasses.

 

If you're gonna have a dick strapped to your truck, you should add the balls too. Fuckin' Raptor lights man!

 

If it doesn't say Safari on it tho, it only adds 10HP.
Go big or go home.

 

Things that do not improve measurable MPG-Snorkels, Filters, Pedal Commander, Aftermarket Spark Plugs, Ambient Air Intakes, Etc.
Things that do save gas-not driving your 4Runner.

 

They have the potential to add cooler, cleaner, air; however, that change won't impact your power or mileage on a 4Runner.

 

Not being a **** but help me understand ^those^ points. I've had lots of 4wds, but never a snorkel.
1. Cooler air; Doesn't the 4Runner's OE intake/airbox get cool (vs heated by the engine) air already?
2. Cleaner. I'm assuming this applies only to traveling behind one or more trucks - that would be kicking up dust... right?

FWIW, #2 is pretty common - following trucks on gravel/dirt roads. I've slowed or stopped long enough to let the cloud settle or drift. So yeah, if you can't see through it, the truck is breathing (well, the filters are breathing it).

 

@Manhattan

that change won't impact your power or mileage on a 4Runner

1. because your 4Runner gets cool air already.
2. yes, #2 is pretty common, but if you're running an air filter, and choose to slow or follow with slightly more space (as you've done in the past), it's not an issue

You're not being a ****. You're agreeing with, giving examples of, the points I made above.

 

It depends on the snorkel, if it is well designed and the engine gets better flow and/or colder air it will decrease milage because higher air pressure or denser air will allow the EFI to inject more fuel. But we're talking fractions of an mpg, the stock location is already optimal for getting cold air so there isn't much room for improvement.

Snorkels are for keeping the air intake above water when driving through water. Snorkels and cold air intakes (the CAI that look like a snorkel) are also there for better filtering in dusty environment, since the stock location isn't the best for dusty. If you're trying to improve MPG, moving the intake is not an effective method.

 

Poorly designed snorkel can restrict airflow and hurt performance. Otherwise they're mostly for water crossings. If you're bombing through the desert frequently, an elevated snorkel will reduce the amount of dust getting into the airbox, extending your air filter life. That why minivans have snorkels in the Middle East:

 

Can anyone share some videos on a 4R with a snorkel doing some actual deep water river crossings without being heavily modified? I am curious how water tight the wiring harness fuse blocks etc under the hood could actually withstand water coming to the top of the block? Or are the snorkels all for show and no go?

 

I think the snorkels can help for quick water crossing or preventing splashing water from getting into the airbox since the inlet is right in the fender, but I wouldn't go that deep. The OEM airbox has drain holes in the bottom to let water out so they can also let water in if youre that deep. The door seals and possibly rear lower vents would also probably slowly leak water in.

 

Your electrical needs to be water resistant, but snorkels don't make submarines. When you enter the water your fan and belts will throw water everywhere. The snorkel helps for that, not actually to keep the engine running with water over the engine.

 

Door seals would be you first issue. What is boils down to is buy a boat for water because a snorkel is just one of many many things needed to get into deep water. Toyota doesn't want you to go over the hubs.

 

So if I get what your saying. Your saying that NO deep water crossing can't or shouldn't be recommended for a 4 Runner? Without expecting electrical issues from submersion. Hence the argument for a snorkel gets thrown out? Unless you wanted the coolness factor and clean air?

 

Pretty much, the snorkel has its purpose and capabilities, but as others say it doesn't make a submarine. It would prevent water up to the hub level from splashing into the airbox inlet that's in the fender and it also helps reduce dust ingestion into the intake if you are in dusty areas. I have considered one but purely for dusty environments and following others in dusty places.

The problem is people are associating "snorkel" with water/swimming. but in this case all it does is raise the level of the intake to mostly prevent dust from getting in. Preventing splashing in the fender is more of a side benefit, but there are many more pieces to deep water crossings.

 

SOOOOoooo to answer OP questions water crossing out... Cross that off your list. Coolness and clean air in. So no need to cut a hole in your fender. Take it slow so water doesn't splash into intake. Save your money.

 

I think this thread got way off track. They wanted a snorkel to gain MPG lol.

 

The under-hood components can withstand submersion, but you may get corrosion and electrical gremlins long-term. The snorkel is there to prevent catastrophic engine failure (bent/broken connecting rods) from hydrolocking.

 

Yes I know about submerged blocks and hydrolock. Thank you. I was playing dumb to see if there could be some reasonable argument that water crossing a 4 runner was worth while. I figured as much.

 

It's the difference between suffering long term effects and being stranded on the trail. It often isn't obvious how deep a water crossing is, and often isn't practical to check with a stick on foot. Short of going in with chest waders, the snorkel just provides additional insurance.

I don't have a snorkel on my Tacoma, so I always wheel in a group, and follow someone with a snorkel through unknown water crossings.

 

Yes and how swiftly the water is moving can also rush the water in places you hadn't intended. I think some have the misconception that a snorkel means cool deep water crossing when that's not usually the case. There are other factors of what can stall your truck out and to include electrical failures.

 

An example of a properly prepared (or plain insane driver) rig.

4Runner River Crossing
https://youtu.be/sEii6CcLnQ8

 

Now that's what I wanted to see thank you ! Cool to see a 4R do it. Would be nice to see more than 14 seconds of video to see if he continued on up the trail as if nothing had been there or if it stalled shortly after. I like how the video fades out right after he crosses. Does he stall? haha Some creative video editing. Also to know the back story of the rig. Was the electrical modified in any way or was everything fairly water tight from the factory? Thanks for sharing.