Inside a Husky air filter

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Corey

Minister of Fire
Nov 19, 2005
2,775
Midwest
Just giving the ol 350 a good once-over the other day and I noticed that there is an accumulation of grit inside the air filter. It really seems to be building up right at the bend where the air funnels into the carb. Just looking at the filter, it doesn't appear to be torn or faulty anywhere and it seals well with the mating flange on the carb. Looking at this, I'm tempted to try and use some type of oiled foam replacement. Just curious if anyone else has the same type of filter and/or similar problems.

Corey
 

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I run a Husky 346xp with the same type of air filter and it also had dirt inside like yours. This is the first time I have used a filter like this and was disappointed to see the accumulation of dirt inside the filter. I did shine my shop light inside the carb to check for debris and could not see any. I'm going to check my owners manual and see what they recomment for replacement intervals, maybe this type of filter needs to be changed more frequently. I used to own a craftsman (poulan) chainsaw with the foam filter that you could remove and wash and reoil. I had that saw for 7 years and never replaced the filter, I did clean it about once a year though, and never had a problem with dirt getting to the inside. Of course the husky cuts about twice as fast as the ole craftsman did.
 
RooSpike looks like the air injection isn't that great after all..


.
 
bobo said:
RooSpike looks like the air injection isn't that great after all..


.

I dont think i was bragging about the air injection and filter system on the Husqvarna tho it is one of the best.

I dont have this issue with any of my 4 Huskys ( two 346xp , 359 , 372XP ) the only thing i can think of is lack of filter cleaning and replacement and also letting the chain get too dull and in turn it makes saw dust and not wood chips as it should.

I have a Craftsman chainsaw that is over 13 years old and never had a sawdust issue.
I've seen many chainsaws that have had the wooddust in the carb and 9 time out of 10 it has been run with a dull chain and the filter is not cleaned as it should be.


A good habit to get into is to take your bar and chain off when done cutting for the day and clean the whole saw. I use a $1. paint brush i keep in my chainsaw box and keep the whole saw clean , clean out the filter at every tank of gas and i also keep my chains sharp.

I blow the whole chainsaw off with an air compressor when i get back to the shop and blow out the air filter as well.
 
Roo - good eye!

Funny you should mention the dust. Last time I was out, I hit a nail, staple or some other metal which had grown inside a tree trunk. I filed the heck out of the chain with the hand files I had in the woods, but still left it a little less than "sharp" Otherwise, I always touch the chain up after every tank or two of gas.

This air system on the husky looks like they have tried to create an inertial primary filter by the way the housing is set up. Problem is, the heavy stuff does get filtered inertialy, but the finest dust still gets to the filter.

I'm going to see about a replacement filter and a good mechanical sharpening for the chain and see how it performs next time out. If I still see the dust, I may have to come up with some type of oiled foam filter because i'm not too crazy about getting all that dust in the saw.

Corey
 
I don't have an air compressor, but I clean that that kind of metal screen filter by brushing off the outside with an old toothbrush or paintbrush, and then squirting WD-40 through the filter from the inside. My dad sticks the filter in the wash with his work clothes. That works, too. And he has an air compressor.

A little fine dust inside the filter body is not all that uncommon, though I agree with Roo's diagnosis of a chain that's producing more dust than chips. A little fine dust won't hurt anything, though I believe you can get a cloth filter for that saw if you prefer.
 
Corey, What type of filter do you have on that saw? I just got a 353 and it came with the paper/car type material filter. Is this the type you have? I'll have to check mine out.
 
Roospike said:
bobo said:
RooSpike looks like the air injection isn't that great after all..


.

I dont think i was bragging about the air injection and filter system on the Husqvarna tho it is one of the best.

I dont have this issue with any of my 4 Huskys ( two 346xp , 359 , 372XP ) the only thing i can think of is lack of filter cleaning and replacement and also letting the chain get too dull and in turn it makes saw dust and not wood chips as it should.

I have a Craftsman chainsaw that is over 13 years old and never had a sawdust issue.
I've seen many chainsaws that have had the wooddust in the carb and 9 time out of 10 it has been run with a dull chain and the filter is not cleaned as it should be.


A good habit to get into is to take your bar and chain off when done cutting for the day and clean the whole saw. I use a $1. paint brush i keep in my chainsaw box and keep the whole saw clean , clean out the filter at every tank of gas and i also keep my chains sharp.

I blow the whole chainsaw off with an air compressor when i get back to the shop and blow out the air filter as well.

I agree with Roo. lookes like you need to clean you'r fliter and blow out the saw more often
 
muzzy said:
Corey, What type of filter do you have on that saw? I just got a 353 and it came with the paper/car type material filter. Is this the type you have? I'll have to check mine out.

How do you like your new 353, Muzzy? It's one of 3 saws I'm considering getting in a couple months.
 
I finally found the difference between Husky and Jonsered
Thanks for the incriminating pictures :)
 
Precaud, I love my 353! I'm used to cuttin with a 9 year old Craftsman which has served me well, but man what a difference! It's light and seems to have plenty of power for my needs. I'm running an 18" bar on mine. With the filter problem, my dealer said to clean it with gas, dry it and your good to go. Said filter should last a long time. Let me know what you find out about other types of filters.
 
Sounds great, Muzzy! Thanks for the input. Unless a screaming bargain presents itself sooner, I plan on buying in Feb or March. Present candidates are Stihl 260, Husky 353, and Dolmar 5100. Only the Stihl dealer is local, so I'm wrestling with that.
 
All good brands. I'd weight my decision in favor of the service. Assuming it's a good dealer.
 
muzzy said:
Corey, What type of filter do you have on that saw? I just got a 353 and it came with the paper/car type material filter. Is this the type you have? I'll have to check mine out.

Muzzy - I'll attach a pic of the whole unit...maybe a couple inches square with a few pleats of automotive type paper for an element. I'm really considering going to some type of oiled foam for better filtration and easier cleaning.

Corey
 

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Eric Johnson said:
All good brands. I'd weight my decision in favor of the service. Assuming it's a good dealer.

I think they're good... I haven't needed them for anything significant - just fluids and the occasional chain. Bought my present saw from them 20+ years ago and it hasn't needed any service beyond normal maintenance, which I'm completely capable of. And that is why I'm waffling. With reliability like that, who really needs a local dealer? The MS260 is the most costly of the trio I'm considering and doesn't have a clear advantage over the other two on its own merits, that I'm aware of.
 
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