Hi,
I agree with everything you say.
I don't agree with your Mechanic however about it triggering a CEL. The Snorkel is upstream of the only sensor between it and the actual Manifold and this is the MAF Sensor. It's only job is to report the Mass of Air flowing past it so the DME can select a appropriate A/F MAP for the Timing and Injector Cycle.
The Side Intake is neither a Ram or NACA Duct so no additional airflow is created by removing the Snorkle, in fact, I suspect if anything, you get a slight pressure (not Mass) drop. You also have the Air Filter between the Intake and the MAF which mitigates any unusual (if any) increased turbulent effect.
If you get a CEL after de-snorkleling, it's either coincidental (something was about to go anyway) or you jogged something loose when yanking on the Snorkle. I de-Snorkled mine 4k mi. ago with no ill effects or CEL whatever. It's simply a noise abatement device...
Happy Motoring!... Jim'99
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