Snorkeling is something that you would typically do at the beach with flippers and a mask but in the South it is also a fact that you may need a snorkel for deep mud riding on your ATV.
Riding your ATV in the mud is a common practice by many, but getting in the really deep marsh could leave you stranded with lots of nasty muck and muddy water in the most important parts of your machine. This is where someone (not sure who gets credit) decided that when you need to go into the deep water you should have a snorkel for your ATV so they built the first official non-OEM snorkel system.
Allowing your machine to breathe when the intake is underwater is essentially the same as you being able to breathe in the same elements. The air intake for the engine needs clean air and with today’s use of belt-driven transmissions there is also a need for fresh air in and out of the CVT cover. Take note that the snorkel is only added protection against water and this in no way allows your machine to become a submarine.
The first reason for installing a snorkel would be so the engine can get fresh air should the air box get below the water line of your favorite bog. Water being sucked into the engine via the air intake is a destructive force that will not only stop the engine in its tracks but could easily destroy major components inside the engine. This is why the first major component of a good snorkel system is for the engine’s air intake. Typically these are run out of the air box, up under the plastics and into the front rack or dash pod and out in front of the handlebars of your machine.
Other Considerations
The CVT transmission of your ATV will also require a snorkel to properly cool the belt and drive components. While you are driving up your favorite trail the transmission is generating an enormous amount of heat and the CVT vent helps control the buildup of excessive heat by allowing air to flow through. When you are down in the deep water the vents for the transmission cannot breath and because they are typically located lower than the seat of most ATVs they will pull water in along with the trash that is in the muddy water. This will allow the belt to slip and leave you stuck in the muddy grave—not to mention it could ruin a good belt in a heartbeat.
Some additional items that most would not consider when snorkeling their rig are the vent lines for the gas tank, front and rear differentials and radiator. These will also need extra long vent lines to get the open ends of the hose above potential water lines. It’s a simple process that will save critical components from certain failure.
When considering what type of snorkel system to buy, look at the products used and ease of install or repair should you find yourself doing the job by yourself. Always buy a kit built specifically for your ATV only. Most kits come with really good instructions while others come with photos of muddy, trash-covered ATVs that will hurt your mind instead of help with the install so know what you are doing if you are the installer or seek professional help for the install.
If you can get a kit that comes partially assembled then you have a better start on the game already. Many ATV snorkels will use traditional PVC pipe like what you would find at the local hardware store. This is great because any damage you do to the snorkel can be easily repaired with easy-to-get parts. You will also find some that use plastic tubing like what you will find on a hot tub. This tubing is more flexible and takes a bend better than the rigid PVC so it will slip into irregular spaces that are not so straight or clear of other components.
One popular company sells their ATV snorkel kits with a “crash plate” and this is a great recommendation especially if you spend more hours out of the mud than in it. The crash plate is a steel plate that links the PVC snorkel under the plastics on your rig to the snorkel stacks that stand up through the plastics. Should you crash your machine and the snorkel stacks get ripped off, you can simply unscrew the leftover broken pipe and screw new pieces in the top of the plate without having to rebuild the entire snorkel system. The crash plate is typically bolted to the front rack and most come coated in a rubberized undercoating for long life in the deep stuff. If you can find a snorkel stack that is made of a flexible pipe like radiator hose, it will flex and bend instead of break off in the event of a roll over, which could save you money and time in the long run.
Do It Right
So you may be wondering what are some precautions and details of installing and then caring for a snorkel on your ATV. One thing you must keep in mind is that a snorkel system can potentially cause catastrophic damage to your ATV if not installed properly and with the utmost care. I might add that even the best installs can leak, so periodic checks of the system are needed to prevent the destruction of your machine. In the event of a crash you should inspect your snorkel system in its entirety to be sure there are no cracks or leaks.
Should you decide to install a snorkel system on your ATV, here are a couple of additional tips for the job to add just a little more insurance to the final product.
- Be very confident in your ability to install the kit, as your ATV’s life does depend on this. If you have any doubts, do consult a professional for help or to do the job for you.
- Do your research on snorkels that are available for your particular ATV. Universal kits may not be exactly what you will want once you open the box and most are nonreturnable.
- Do not forget other crucial vent lines from the front and rear differential as well as the gas tank or gearbox on your machine. Using a small clear fuel filter at the highest end of the vent line can add extra protection to prevent crud from getting in.
- Use plenty of the sealant in the kit and be sure it gets in all the right places on the snorkel kit. Extra sealant is better than a leaky snorkel.
- Be sure to wrap any piping that travels near the exhaust or engine with heat tape or header wrap. This will keep the plastic from melting away.
- The use of plastic reducing boots is common and the typical glue for the PVC will not bind the two different materials correctly so some riders will use heavy doses of silicone or RVT for that connection, along with the metal hose clamps.
- The final tip would be to know your limits as well as the limits of your machine. Going into deep water is inherently dangerous and can cause injury or death. Your ATV was made for trails so be sure to think of this when you dig deep in the swamp.
