5
GENERAL INFORMATION
The air cleaner is the device used to eliminate dust and dirt
from the air supply. Filtered air is necessary to assure that
abrasive particles are removed before entering the carburetor
and combustion chamber. Dirt allowed into the engine will
quickly wear the internal components and shorten the life
of the engine.
Tecumseh engines use either a polyurethane or a paper-
type air filter system. A polyurethane pre-cleaner or a flocked
screen may be used in conjunction with the main filter.
Snow King
®
engines do not use an air filter.
Extremely dirty conditions may require more frequent filter
cleaning or replacement.
OPERATION
The outer cover encapsulates the air filter element(s) and
prevents large particles from entering the filter box. Air is
filtered through the pre-cleaner or flocked screen (if equipped)
and the polyurethane or paper filter element. Pre-cleaners
or flocked screens provide additional air cleaning capacity.
In Tecumseh's Kleen Aire
®
system, air is drawn in through
a rotating screen or recoil cover to be centrifugally cleaned
by the flywheel before the air is drawn into the air filter.
COMPONENTS
The cover holds the filter element and prevents large debris
from entering the filter element.
The polyurethane wrap pre-filter is used on XL or XL/C
engine models with paper filter elements.
The paper or polyurethane filter element is the main
filter to trap dust and dirt. Dry-type paper elements have
treated paper folded for increased surface area and rubber-
like sealing edges. The polyurethane filter uses an oil film
to trap fine particles found in dust.
The flocked screen is used as an additional filter on XL or
XL/C engine models that use a polyurethane filter element.
TROUBLESHOOTING OR TESTING
If the engine's performance is unsatisfactory (needs
excessive carburetor adjustments, starts smoking
abnormally, loses power), the first engine component to be
checked is the air cleaner. A dirt restricted or an oil soaked
element will cause noticeable performance problems. A
polyurethane element may be cleaned following the service
procedure listed under "Service" in this chapter. A paper-
type air filter should only be replaced. A paper-type element
cannot have an oil film present on the paper. Follow the
procedure listed in the "Service" section of this chapter for
replacement. Re-try the engine after filter replacement or
service. If the problem persists after filter service, see
Chapter 9 under "Engine Operation Problems" for additional
causes.
CHAPTER 2 AIR CLEANERS
1
2
COVER
FOAM
ELEMENT
FLOCKED SCREEN
AIR CLEANER
BODY
AIR CLEANER
BODY
PAPER
ELEMENT
POLYURETHANE
WRAP
COVER
(diag 1 & 2)
SEALING NUTS
