Briggs and Stratton 3.5hp Classic: Plastic 'Upgrade' Air Filter vs Metal Air Filter housing for Dusty Conditions?

[pgtr]

My B&S 92000 series 3.5HP Classic in a basic Murray mower has the old school metal can air filter housing. It uses the 'flanged' green-ish foam air filter where the flanges on the foam help seal around the lip of the air filter housing cover (and the plastic 'cup' inside) to form a gasket when the cover is installed.

I already had and tried one of the newer 'square cut' yellow air filters and it works OK but I've noticed some streaks of dirt coming in around the now un-gasketed edges of the metal cover. Keep in mind I mow in very very dusty sandy conditions (in fact our property is just that. Pure sand).

I plan to go back to the correct green style foam air filter that better seals the air cleaner housing. But I can also get one of the replacement B&S 'upgrade' filter kits that includes a plastic housing and uses the square cut yellow foam filters. Price difference is inconsequential. But I do mow in very very sandy dusty conditions.

I'll also add that those greenish 'flanged' air filters may not last quite as long - their 'edges' tend to get frayed where they collapse/seal around the metal edges . But if in good condition - they do work very well as to having a tight seal .

QUESTION: Do the #5099 'upgrade' replacement plastic air filter housing covers seal pretty well to the lower base housing? Are they gasketed between the upper and lower housings of the plastic air cleaner?





Original style foam filter for metal air cleaners B&S #232235:



'Upgrade' plastic air filter assembly B&S #5099:

 

[hlw49]

I would say the old style green filter has a better seal. All the air has to come up through the bottom of the filter to the top where it enters the carb. If the plastic one does not have some way to seal it so it will not allow dirty air to enter the engine through the carb. it would be ok. If I remember correctly the plastic ones snap together but not 100% sure since i don't work on the push mowers very much and the newer ones don't have this type filter on the newer float type carbs.

 

[Richard Milhous]

F* lawnmowers. If you have some way of making grass (or mowable weeds!) grow in sandy soil, I wanna know.

 

[pgtr]

I put a green flanged filter on oiled lightly with tacky bar/chain oil. It's both snugger inside the canister and provides a 'seal' around both the top cover and the base. It is likely to 'tatter' at those flanged edges over time however. But, when intact, I suspect it's a superior seal for older metal air cleaners.

For the most part I have pure sand. In one small grassy plot of bermuda CORRECTION: St. Augustine I put in a thin layer of soil mixed maybe 1 in deep (a little sand comes up thru there if mowing at high blade speeds particularly w/ blades that have a lot of lift - I often try to mow after a rain to keep dust down - blades last longer). Sandburs, while undesirable, is a weed that does quite well in sand. Maybe some seasonal wildflowers and bull's nettles (also undesirable). Coastal hay and bermuda St. Augustine grass can survive in sand around here.

thanks,

 

[Richard Milhous]

Sand burrs??? If it wasn't for sand burrs and copperheads, I wouldn't mow at all!

I'll try Bermuda grass.

 

[pgtr]

I goofed above - it was St. Augustine grass I put in that plot NOT Bermuda. I spread a little soil on the sand and laid down St. Augustine sod.