Mud in airbox

[jakesz28]

I have tried to search for the answer but was not lucky enough to find it.
I while ago I went to the cliffs insane terrain. The trails were muddy with a fair amount of standing water. I did not check the air filter because I thought it was well protected from the environment. Next time I will keep an eye on it.
So a couple days ago I was at a cub scouts meeting and had to show the boys how to do some routine maintenance on a car. I thought the Hummer would be better then the car. So we checked the tire pressure, oil and transmission fluid level, break fluid and powersteering fluid. Then I thought it would be smart to look at the airfilter. To my surprise you could tell there was muddy water in there.
So my question is how many of you have experienced getting mud or really muddy water in the air box that had evaporated.

I think I know why this happened on my h3. I also think it may not normally happen on most rigs. More about that later.

 

[08H3]

Yes, I've had gunk in the airbox. It's not a sterile environment, so I think a good deal of it just results from dust mixing with moisture making a nasty looking mess. I don't think what you see is necessarily indicative of you sucking up a big bunch of water or anything.

 

[Hunner]

There are drains in the bottom of the air box, or inlets in some conditions.

 

[jakesz28]

I should have taken a picture. But it was enough to alarm me. The difference with mine is I'm running the Thor parts front bumper. Part of the installation requires that you cut the fenderwell liner. So I can see how I would splash or throw some water and mud fairly close to the air inlet.
I love the design of the front bumper and reduced approach interference. Nothing plastic to get broken or banged up.
If this is recurring I will simply add the ARB snorkel.

 

[Paladine71]

Nothing stopping you from doing the snorkel now... :thumbs:

 

[jakesz28]

Its been on the to do list. But if I go to Moab in march I have to watch the budget.

 

[4speedfunk]

One time I had to literally scoop cups of water out of my airbox....then ring-out the filter. That was the last time. I immediately went home and ordered the ARB snorkel. (08H3 was standing right there). People think you put a snorkel on so you can drive across 5-foot deep rivers. This is entirely untrue (at least for me). I'm more concerned about a 3-foot deep hole in the middle of a a 2-foot deep river. After all...the mud (or water) looks flat and level on the top, no matter what. But the bottom can have huge holes and this is why I chose to install the snorkel. All it takes is to drop your right-front wheel into a deep hole for a split second and....sssslurrpppp. You inhale a big gulp and soak the filter. Hopefully you realize it and head for high ground and dry it out. If not, you stand the chance of hydra-locking your motor. Not good. Not covered under warranty.

 

[jakesz28]

I agree with you. I have wanted to get the snorkel for the reasons you mentioned. This just goes to show that there is a need. I went thru plenty of holes that day but none of them contained 3 foot of water.