Africa-Press – Eritrea. Have you ever come across a vehicle with a tall black pipe running up the side of the bonnet and wondered what it is for? There is a possibility you are not the only one who wonders what it is.
This feature, which is commonly seen on four-wheel drives and heavy-duty trucks, is not just for enhancing the appearance of these vehicles. It is called a snorkel.
What does a snorkel do, exactly, and why do some vehicles need one? It serves an important purpose in protecting the vehicle engine and helping the vehicle operate safely in harsh conditions.
However, to fully understand how a snorkel performs these functions, one must first understand how a vehicle engine works.
Just like a human being, an engine needs clean air to survive, and a mixture of air with fuel allows the engine to run, eventually making the vehicle move.
Nonetheless, if water enters through the vehicle’s air intake, the engine cannot compress it, and it results in sudden and expensive damage to the vehicle.
A snorkel is important to keep the engine of the car taking in fresh air, even when the vehicle attempts to cross dangerous places such as a river.
Snorkels are especially important when vehicles are driven through flooded roads during heavy rains, while crossing rivers and streams, or when operating on dusty roads and in desert conditions.
A snorkel is believed to provide a duct of clean and cold air, compared to the hot and dirty air in the engine bay, where the intake usually finishes.
While some vehicles are designed for harsh conditions such as muddy or dusty places, others are designed for smooth roads, clean environment.
Most vehicles that lack snorkels are city cars that are rarely driven in flooded, dusty, or muddy places.
Some vehicles come with snorkels straight from the factory, especially those designed for tough condtions while others are placed after the car has been bought.
