Honestly mine looked just similar from spraying off the front with a pressure washer after going off-road. I didn't hit any water at all but spaying the dirt off caused water droplets to be sucked in leaving dirty water spots inside the intake tube. Filter was dry and clean only inlet tube looked bad.

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There's an obvious spot where the filter got wet. And under 1/2+ throttle I think it just sucked some water right through.

 

i would leave the snorkel on,
as water has a way to go before hitting the filter,
removing snorkel will expose the filter and make it more prone to water intake,
as for CAI, generally meant to improve airflow, filter will be much more exposed,
if plan on going through deep water, can try to fit something in front part of air intake, to block water, yet let airflow, like an airconditioner filter,
air in baffle should be sufficient to prevent intake from choking,

 

With that snorkel and engine cover off, it sure makes a nice growl on acceleration!!

 

Maybe it would be easier to cross the water backwards. Especially if it's not deep and the exit isn't steep. This way the wave made by the vehicle won't go into this "snorkel".

http://youtu.be/q_ZVkv1gbro

 

15 mph is way too fast for entering deep water and creates too much of a bow wave. You want to enter at about 5 mph, then accelerate to maintain momentum. If you're going to modify anything, I would glue in a splash shield inside the air box so that you cut off a direct path from the snorkel to air box inlet to the air filter. Or better yet, a shield at the grill to block direct access to the front of the snorkel inlet, properly angled it should direct water down towards the radiator.

 

what's with the side chambers on the snorkel? A friend has a vid maybe I can get that from him.

Would something like this be worth it to prevent the splashes from going straight through the filter? Not waterproof but might help. I read a lot about people using them on their dirt bikes, and atv's.

 

thats a prefilter for cone shaped CAI filters,
CAI filters are more prone to sucking in water, and having to treat them gets costly, also extends life of the filter which can cost +$50.
idea can be incorporated into pats existing intake,
when cars had hood scoops for intakes, they would stuff foam or something into the scoop in the rain, can do the same with the Pat, just cover the inlet when offroading, remove on the road.

 

Did some more poking around.

This is the view through the grill into snorkel.

I noticed that the size of the inlet is only 2 3/4" x 3/4"(2.0625 sq in) whereas the inlet to the air box is 3 3/4" x 1 3/4"(6.5625 sq in). This is limiting total air flow but does that help with water ingestion by allowing the air to slow down as it's entering the air box hopefully letting it fall to the bottom?

Engine heat/sound shield cutout? for future snorkel?

This hole translates to about here*

Underneath cabin air intake cover
*drivers side:

could put a hole here. just move that wire

drivers side:


drivers side:


drivers side wiper motor connection:


passenger's side:


passenger's side seal:


Overall I see no way to get an air tube/inlet out from under the hood without modding. Anyone see something that may work? I suppose you could just route the intake into the area where the cabin air is coming in from. Would that create drag on our 2.4L engine reducing power?

 

Found some interesting snorkels for XJ's:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1068063

cowl style:
http://ericsxj.com/intake/intake.htm

Our passenger side:

That passenger side cowl snorkel looks pretty temping. Wonder what the noise would be like?
I might fab one of these up come spring time...would sure ease my mind when out trailing.

 

DISCLAIMER....the 19 inches of water fording capability is an FDii spec. It has less to do with the intake placement and more to do with placement of driveline vents and door sealing. If you do not have the relocated vents and extra door sealing of the FDii, the water fording capability is less. The differentials, PTU, transmission, and crankcase are all vented. The lowest vent would equal the highest water depth you can cross without changing fluids in one or several of those components. Water can and will permanently damage all of the components listed above. I verified this for myself with a 1989 Toyota pickup. And, yes... 15MPH is way too fast.

Now you said "puddle" not water crossing. So giving the benefit of the doubt, it is strange that water would get into the air filter just going through a puddle. I would change the air filter and oil and call it good. If you really want a snorkel the cowl method is the only way without cutting a hole in your fender. But, all methods have drawbacks. The cowl method will make noise in the cabin. No way around it. You will hear it. The other is obviously having to cut a hole in your fender, the ugliness of the tubing on the outside of the vehicle, and the fact that while it keeps the intake higher than the surrounding water, they do like to suck in rain and a lot more dust. That requires much more frequent filter changes whether you actually use the capability of the snorkel or not.

 

After the 2011 change Most of the Patriot became standardized. Door sealing is there, 1" "lift" is there, basically everything except the low range(which can be achieved by swapping out the diff gears(no way I'm paying for that...lol)) and some electronics programming. Now I'm not sure about the vent tubing...anyone have any info on that?

 

I went into water before at the edge of the sand dunes around here, a few months ago. Thought I might have gotten a wire wet, but the air intake makes sense. And that with a K&N installed, no snorkel. Wouldn't recommend cutting into anywhere on the Patriot unless you know exactly what you're doing, and are completely sure you want to do it, otherwise it'll get alot more expensive than just replacing an air filter.

 

I've done water crossings with the snorkel on and off.

My experience, if you want to keep the water out take the snorkel off. When the snorkel is on, it's basically the end of a 2.4L wet-vac. Any water that splashes up towards it will get sucked into the filter.

This video is a good illustration:



With it off, the suction won't be as great where the cold air inlet is. Some water will still get drawn in, but not as much since it has to get over the top of the battery in open-air, as opposed to being pulled under vacuum down the snorkel tube.

And I know there's the trade off drawing in hotter air from the engine compartment vs outside. But IMHO, when it comes to air intakes hot air beats any temp of water every time.

 

Wow. That water really came shooting out the front... I wonder if the '11+ patriots do that.

 

Make sure you have insurance that will cover if your motor gets hydrolock. Happened to me but my insurance company paid 6500 to fix motor and heads. Water killed my motor. I know now that to check water before going any further. I do plan on puting a snorkel but after I pay off my Jeep. Snorkel won't look right on a patriot but plan on offsetting its with steel front and back bumpers. Gotta get ready for that zombie apocalypse lol.

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Make sure you have insurance that will cover if your motor gets hydrolock. Happened to me but my insurance company paid 6500 to fix motor and heads. Water killed my motor. I know now that to check water before going any further. I do plan on puting a snorkel but after I pay off my Jeep. Snorkel won't look right on a patriot but plan on offsetting its with steel front and back bumpers. Gotta get ready for that zombie apocalypse lol.

I do have comprehensive but I don't know if I'd like the premium hike...did yours go up at all. I just know to be a lot more cautious around water.

 

On and within 10sec in the water it stalled out. Went in to fast. Water was at top of tires. Had it out in about 20 mins. Shop said no water in the oil, never said in the cvt but i would say no. Little bit of water on the floor , and i never opened the doors when it was in the water. I tried to start it and it sounded like it wanted to turn over. it did it a couple times then all you hear is click click click. I think if i took out the spark plugs and fired it up it might have not hydrolock the motor. So my fault and now I know better.

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Cool boat launch, no snorkel

 

Cool boat launch, no snorkel

Lol... That boat is a wee big for our Pats.

 

Anyone have any experience with something like this: [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Volant-300030-Shop-Intake-Duct/dp/B00BZQT9P0/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1429286584&sr=1-4&keywords=Fab+Shop+Air+Intake[/ame]

Or better ideas? I want it waterproof as well. I'm not a fan of the flex stuff but the silicone stuff if it's cheap would work.

 

that riverraider intake on the hood looks like it would give you a few extra inches at best. water hits the hood and slides right up into it!