Engine Dust protection

Alan,

Moving to the side of the road When a road train passes is a good idea not only to avoid a lot of dust but also the lack of visibility.

Dust will get into the air filter regardless of a snorkel being fitted or not. Having a snorkel the air intake is a lot higher and there is less dust. The head of the snorkel can also be turned o face the back of the vehicle if you are in a lot of dust.

I am now using the genuine air filter, after trying the aftermarket ones, and have found that they last longer as they can be washed and cleaned.

Dust is a part of driving and the only way to beat it is to keep the air filter clean.

Wayne

Hi Alan
If it is a road train I usually pull of the road, if possible I will pull of the road on the side away from the dust. I also contact them to say I am pulling off and are there more trucks behind them, some time if there are 3 or 4 it is time for a drink and stretch the legs till they pass.

It is not only the protection for the engine from the dust, but also to protect you from the idiots that pass roadtrains through the dust and hope you are not their.

Snorkels help form the dust behind another 4WD or car, but roadtrains create huge dust clouds and the snorkels copes it then as well
Ray

G'day Alan

A snorkel with a suitable pre cleaner and makng sure your air cleaner element is clean and properly maintained is the best provider of clean engine air. I carry a spare air cleaner element (genuine part) all the time and clean/replace it at least half recommended service intervals in dusty conditions. Make sure there is no unfiltered air getting into the air induction path after the air cleaner. More frequent oil changes.

A snorkel takes induction air from higher up potentially decreasing the amount of dust in the air. Many newer 4x4 vehicles have engine air intakes in left or right mudguard panels (to reduce the chances of water ingress compared to behind headlight induction paths ??????) I wonder if a lot of dust is thrown into this area by wheel and air flow around the wheel in dusty conditions.

As suggested by others stop/slowdown/pull to the left, set internal air systems to recirculate, when approached by road trains/approaching vehicles. Do not travel in other vehicles dust unless you must ( the resultant poor visibility is fare more hazardous than the dust to your engine ). You should at least slow down (considerably) when approaching other vehicles and set internal air systems to recirculate reducing the chance of stone damage and the dust cloud (increasing visibility)

With a properly setup snorkel/pre cleaner/air filter system, and increased service intervals, you will get more dust inside the car than in the engine.

I run a snorkel without a pre cleaner. I have run pre cleaners and it is interesting to note the amount of dust collected in them which one assumes would normally be filtered by the air cleaner element.

Regards

Paul

Hi Alan H,
I seen advertised I think on ebey a foam sock type of pre cleaner that fits ovever the top of the snorkle..a good fit like a glove you get the picture..I havent tried this but it hit me as a good idea...Hope this helps.Driving blind is driving blind,bull dust,fog,terential rain, if it works for you do it.Its your decisions whilst driving that keep you and your family safe
JD

Buy a Donaldson.

Be careful when pulling over to the left when a roadtrain is coming towards you. If there's another vehicle a couple of kms behind you, he might NOT pull over for the roadtrain. He can't see through the roadtrain's dust cloud and BINGO - he's smashed into the back of you whilst you're stationary.

Make sure you pull right off the road.

Bilbo