Jeep Garage  - Jeep Forum banner

WK2 Snorkel

41K views 120 replies 34 participants last post by  BobT 
#1 ·
Hi all
Have just returned home from Dromana in victoria where airflow vector have had a good look at the wk2 grand cherokee . Michael from airflow says they can make a snorkel work for this vehicle, but now need genuine expression of interest before they will tool up to make it. Please contact them via email if you are serious about a snorkel for your grand.. info@airflowvector.com . They will have some more information on their web site and facebook with in the next week.
thanks for your time
Sparky60
 
#68 ·
All snorkels need a way to separate water from the airflow and it usually happens at the head, I don't know of any snorkel that has a bypass, most use slots in the head, that is why you are not suppose to push the head all the way down on the body


2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo 3L CRD, Uneek4x4 bull bar, Murchison Products Suspension Lift
 
#72 ·
I did speak with Stuart of Murchison this morning and he claims they are drilling 3 x 8mm holes in all heads now. BUT mine fitted 10 days ago and supplied by Murchison did not have the 3 holes, nor did the fitting instructions (that had to be requested because they were not with the snorkel. They were sent from Murchison by express post, I was told.) mention the need to drill the holes. Instructions were Rev1.1 21/5/2015 but Stuart couldn't confirm current version.

Stuart claimed that the 3 holes should be in the lower edge of the extruded block back at the rear of the snorkel head, NOT in the middle as earlier photos on this forum show. These holes are supposed to create a venturi effect that will blow the water out of the snorkel.

I can see the holes working in light to moderate rain but can't see them being capable of clearing sufficient water in very heavy rain. Just look at the surface areas and you can see the volumetric measures show that heavy rain will allow more water into the snorkel than can escape through 3 x 8mm holes. My Jeep fitter agrees with me and is looking for alternatives. He will discuss with Murchison.

So it has cost me a new air filter, almost an engine and considerable anguish to discover this design fault. As a temporary measure I have drilled the holes but this is not a proper solution. Just because it looks good does not mean it is.

I'll keep you posted.

PS. I now have over 92,000km on this car since purchase in October 2014 and drive in all weathers. It is one of two cars I'm using. The other has over 312,000km and its Safari snorkel has never created a problem. It drains correctly without the drilling of holes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BobT
#70 · (Edited)
  • Like
Reactions: Mozzie
#71 ·
See Car experiment shows extent of flood danger - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
A Nissan Patrol actually floated in 95cm of water. If one intends to drive though water deep enough to need a snorkel one should be prepared to keep a door open. God knows what that would do to the battery or the quadra-lift electronics never mind the carpet or the seat electrics.
Now that was a surprise. The Patrol actually became buoyant earlier than I thought. Obviously why so many get caught out.
 
#78 ·
Yes, the US military trucks I used to drive had circular snorkel heads on them covered by a dome, bell shaped protector so that heavy rains would not enter - if memory serves, as I retired 23 years ago. I never attended the official driver's school, my license was an additional responsibility, but I distinctly recall talking to Marines who did, and part of the training was fording deep water right up to their chin. The only way to drive any deeper is if the driver wore a snorkel or scuba tanks so he could breathe.

Unbound1 please keep us posted, I hope you get this straightened out. Also, am sending a PM to ask about your aux fuel tank, I'm interested and don't want to hijack the thread.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BobT
#88 ·
Obviously a slightly wet filter is not a major concern but incles of water and a thoroughly soaked filter are FAR MORE SERIOUS as in my case. I don't panic easily but raise legitimate concerns.

Just do the basic volumetrics 3x8mm holes can't possibly remove all the water in heavy rain. I also query what three holes in the back of the head do for airflow let alone aesthetics.

Stay posted.
 
#91 ·
Just noticed the two screws securing the top part of the snorkel have started rusting. Why couldn't they have used stainless instead of cheap screws, not a fan of that rusty stain look. View attachment 70083
A bad look indeed. You have to replace them. What brand snorkel is it?
 
#93 ·
It figurers, Murchison produce some great stuff but attention to detail leaves a bit to be desired.
 
#99 ·
Hey guys, what an interesting thread! I have a petrol WK2 Larado.. I was considering getting a snorkel - would anyone bother with a petrol?

I do a little bit off road, very basic stuff as my jeep is also my daily driver.

Is there nay alternative to the Murchison snorkel?


Cheers boys,
 
#100 ·
Think carefully before you install a snorkel. Do you really really need one?
 
#102 ·
There's nothing wrong with putting a snorkel on a petrol, I've had them on most of the petrol 4wds I've owned.
If you think you'll need one for your offroad adventures go for it but personally, I wouldn't get one mainly for the looks. I think airflow might be the only ones that do a snorkel for the petrol too..
A negative would be some reduced performance.
 
#104 · (Edited)
Yes the cooler denser air is a benefit but the additional pipework infront of your airbox will also add some extra resistance to the airflow into your engine. Travelling at speed you won't notice it with the air being rammed down the snorkel but I noticed a slight difference before and after when accelerating hard from a stand still.
 
#105 · (Edited)
That's interesting and makes a lot of sense. Another issue that concerns me is that a snorkel is really only necessary if the normal air intake is under water. In that situation, I'm not confident that the electronics of the modern SUV like the WK2 is up to it. If the air intake is not actually under water but in the splash zone, that can be handled cheaply by tape or a water bra like this https://msa4x4.com.au/catalogue/water-bra/water-bra/ . It also saves unnecessarily having to drag an air scoop through the air everywhere you go. Of course none of this addresses Jamie8855's #1 issue "Looks" :)
 
#106 ·
Story time. I was with a guy who punted his older V8 Grand Cherokee into a waterhole at increasing speeds to try and get through. He was really gunning it and ignored suggestions that it was going to end in tears. Eventually the attempt ended in silence as the car stalled from pretty high RPM. We pulled him out, removed the plugs, dried them, removed the air filter, dried the airbox, installed his jocks as an air filter, cranked a quantity of water out of the cylinders, replaced the plugs... and he drove it home no worries.


Cheers,
Steve
 
#107 ·
Good job Barboots! I guess he would have been stuffed it was a diesel with no plugs to remove.
 
#111 ·
I would really really like to know how?
 
#115 ·
The surface makes a big difference... be it larger rocks, mud, sand, pebbles, roadbase, bitumen, concrete, etc. It's all cool until you're stationary, then the depth becomes more and more relevant by the second. So the question becomes "could you run out of traction?".
[emoji6]

Then there's flow... second only in evil to waves.
 
#116 ·
Hi Steve.
It was the causeway on the Pascoe, Cape York in May this year.
There was about 200 mm of sand in the centre and traction was ok to average.
I wrote a full report on another post somewhere and can dig it up if you are interested.
Had an issue with the TCM which was interesting.
Pete.
 
#118 ·
Just came back from a trip, most of the trucks had snorkel, I managed quite well without it, in my case I dont like how it looks with a snorkel..as you can see in the last video..water was over the hood...but if you drive carefully the GC has no issues with water that deep...in deeper water who knows...but in my case I wouldnt go into much deeper.
Rgds. and here is the post :
http://www.jeepgarage.org/f73/river-crossing-4x4-having-fun-100932.html
 
#121 ·
If you have the V6 CRD, you have an intercooler to cool off intake air after the turbo but yes, it's normal to have a performance loss particularly taking off at lights. At speed you get a bit of an air ram effect to compensate for losses in the plumbing but then you also have greater wind drag. It's a vicious circle.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top