Possible alternative to a snorkel

Montyjohn · Sep 9, 2022

So I have an idea.
I bought one of those petrol filters thingies. Let me get a link: Amazon product
Made by Mr funnel.
Lets petrol and air through really easy. No noticeable resistance.
But water can't get through because the mesh is too fine for the water molecules (how this is possible I have no idea, maybe it's more to do with surface tension, anyway magic, and it really works, I've tested it).

If you got a load of that mesh (I'm guessing it's expensive) and placed it over your air filter (in the box of course).
Any reason why it wouldn't be effective in blocking water from getting into your engine?
I expect clogging wouldn't be an issue for short duration as the air is pre filtered.
There may be some loss in power, but not as much as a gulp of water smashing your pistons.

Good idea, bad idea?

Colthebrummie · Sep 9, 2022

I imagine if the filter surface is covered with water molecu!es that cant get through, they will block the path of the air. I have simi?ar problems with my molecular seive.

Col

Montyjohn · Sep 9, 2022

Colthebrummie said:
I imagine if the filter surface is covered with water molecu!es that cant get through, they will block the path of the air. I have simi?ar problems with my molecular seive.

Col

Which could be a good thing.
Yes you're stuck in deep water and it's flowing up your exhaust and you might float away but you haven't trashed your engine.
It's obviously now replacement for a snorkel.

TheQ · Sep 9, 2022

I doubt it will allow enough volume of air at full suck. Look at the diameter of the air feed pipe to the engine, that might give you a clue.

Montyjohn · Sep 9, 2022

TheQ said:
I doubt it will allow enough volume of air at full suck. Look at the diameter of the air feed pipe to the engine, that might give you a clue.

I'm not suggesting salvaging bits from a funnel. I'm suggesting getting an A4 sheet of the mesh and adding it as a layer to the paper air filter.
There will be some extra losses of course, but there with a snorkel anyway.

lynall · Sep 9, 2022

Montyjohn said:
I'm not suggesting salvaging bits from a funnel. I'm suggesting getting an A4 sheet of the mesh and adding it as a layer to the paper air filter.
There will be some extra losses of course, but there with a snorkel anyway.

I think whet they are suggesting is if the car is deep enough to cover the filter intake/mesh then no air can get in either and you will be stuck with a non dunning engine, it might be a dry non running engine, but a non running engine is the last thing you want in the water.

kermit_rr · Sep 9, 2022

lynall said:
I think whet they are suggesting is if the car is deep enough to cover the filter intake/mesh then no air can get in either and you will be stuck with a non dunning engine, it might be a dry non running engine, but a non running engine is the last thing you want in the water.

If you're in that deep then it will be the least of your worries

Montyjohn · Sep 9, 2022

lynall said:
I think whet they are suggesting is if the car is deep enough to cover the filter intake/mesh then no air can get in either and you will be stuck with a non dunning engine, it might be a dry non running engine, but a non running engine is the last thing you want in the water.

Almost.
The last thing you would want in deep water is a running engine necking back water.

My thinking was more if you go a little too fast in to water, and you get a wave that fills the engine.
If you can avoid knackering the engine with a simple filter, you can then let the water settle and drive out.

K14 · Sep 9, 2022

Bad idea in so many ways

lynall · Sep 10, 2022

kermit_rr said:
If you're in that deep then it will be the least of your worries

My 90 has been that deep a few times, cant beat a proper snorkel.

Its fun, but it also wrecks everything, alternator brushes, starter motor brushes, wheel bearings, fills the chassis with sludge that never really properly dries out etc etc.

BikerB · Sep 12, 2022

I thought a snorkel was actually for keeping dust from getting into the engine, not water?
Is it not really for putting the air intake high in dusty climates rather than wet ones?
I would imagine the whole motor, battery, electrics and everything would be wrecked if you were in that deep

Possible alternative to a snorkel

Montyjohn

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Colthebrummie

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Montyjohn

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TheQ

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Montyjohn

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lynall

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kermit_rr

Very

Montyjohn

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K14

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lynall

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BikerB

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