On 7/10/2011 6:00 AM, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
....

The *soakers* were assuming you had a foam filter. Don't ever put
anything wet on a paper filter.

I'm not so sure of that...the guy that jumped me on blowing _out_ (from
inside out, not vice versa) surely had to be aware it was paper and he
claims he washes one w/ soap and water multiple times...

On the second point, I'm in full agreement there; the only times I've
ever had one wet it has been certain it had to be replaced then instead
of later. The old oil bath style (while never seen on a small
single-cylinder B&S-type engine did have some advantage of not needing
any replacement cartridge). Even if washing were good, I don't have the
patience to let one dry and I'd definitely be nervous about using it
damp altho I suppose not enough extra water would be brought in to
matter; it would be like an extremely humid day it just doesn't have
that "feel right" feel to it...

For OP, well, you can't use this as an excuse to not mow any longer now,
can you... I know it sounds good "Hey, dear, I really _DO_ want to
get that mowed but the machine needs a new air cleaner and doggone SEARS
just doesn't have them..." vbg

From the gitgo, of course, if there was sufficient air getting into the
intake thru the filter than the engine ran w/o noticeable loss of power,
you were good to go from the beginning, anyway...as others noted as well
as I had...

Anyway, all's well that ends well.

--