Airtec Snorkel on 120 D4D Prado

Big Rig · 10-05-2010, 07:11 PM

I just had an experience with TJM today so a small word of warning if anyone intends fitting an Airtec TJM Snorkel.

I looked at both the Safari and the Airtec and preferred the look of the the airtec. I proceeded to have this fitted by TJM. After I picked up the vehicle I decided to give the engine bay a wash only to find that the snorkel was not clamped to the air cleaner box. I went back to TJM today to find that this part of the install was factory Toyota and had nothing to do with TJM.

When I showed the guy at TJM that there is absolutely NO seal what so ever, the first water crossing you come to water would just suck right in there. He did understand what I was showing him but continued to quote that he fitted it as per the instructions and that it was up to me to do something about it.

I met up with a customer over the road at ARB who had a Prado with an Airtec snorkel so I asked to look at his install. Low and behold he had the same issue but didn't know it and I found he was off to the Cape like me in 7 weeks time.

Every one be warned, check this out because you will damage your engine. I took the whole air cleaner box out, sealed the join with silicone and put a large aircraft grade cable tie around the join to fasten it.

Split pin · 10-05-2010, 07:25 PM

I had the same problem with my Nissan Patrol but on the factory fitted one. Suffice to say I told the service manager that if I went through a water crossing and the motor filled with water that his department would be held accountable he basically laughed at me.

So I did the same as you.

When Brunswick installed the chevy they ensured that the air intake was sealed all the way from the top of the snorkal to the inlet manifold.

Big Rig · 10-05-2010, 08:03 PM

It pretty horrifying to see the oversight and even more horrifying to find that a well known and professional franchise like TJM would just snub this issue off. These are the guys that newbys rely on for sound advice when purchasing products... and they really don't give a toss. They got their money, fitted as per the airtec instructions so lets just was our hands of it. I too told them that they would have been the first port of call if my engine stuffed up.

4WDN · 10-05-2010, 08:16 PM

Not good at all.
'aircraft grade cable tie" you need to keep some heavy rated gear for them Prados.

Pure Yobbo · 10-05-2010, 08:17 PM

What do you expect they are going broke.

Grey Ghost · 10-05-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pure Yobbo

What do you expect they are going broke.

Does that mean i can get a cheap bullbar off them then?

Pure Yobbo · 10-05-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

Does that mean i can get a cheap bullbar off them then?

You get what you pay for.......

Juggs · 10-05-2010, 08:52 PM

still waiting for my tonearm cover to come in 5 weeks after ordering one from a tjm store

gave up 2 weeks ago it gets fitted tomorrow by someone else

croozza · 11-05-2010, 07:40 AM

over the past few years TJM have build up a reputation of not caring, Big Rig I would check the holes that they drilled for the snorkel as they would not have put anti rust on the exposed metal and a year or two you will get rust in your guard.

bmurray2250 · 11-05-2010, 08:36 AM

I installed my Safari snorkel and used penatrol on all the exposed metal. It will seal the metal and stop rusting. I noticed on some installations the mount area on the pillar section is moving. I avoided the plastic mounts and sealed the screws in the penatrol and silicone sealant. The guys that cut the holes in my guard did a fast job and did a poor cleaning of the area and sealing the bare metal, hence I re-cleaned everything up