Air filter cleaning

[discovery2]

Hi I recently bought a vi 125. I believe it's simular to the vi 123. It runs although it is lacking in power and bogs down when cutting. It's due a new chain but I would like to get it running better first. I wondered what was the best way to clean the air filter it's a felt type filter so do I wash it in soapy water or is it a clean in petrol? The other query is that somehow dust is getting to the carb and after 10 mins of cutting it was covered in fine dust. The filter appears to fit properly and is not damaged. The rubber seal is in place around the carb adjustment screws I can't see where the dust is getting through. Any thoughts are much appreciated
Best wishes William

[kevinm1980]

I usually use hot water a dish soap, I'll get water as hot as I can stand and rub the soap in while holding under running water.. Seems to work good

[xl130]

I would highly recommend looking into how all that sawdust is getting into the air box. If it’s getting in around the carburetor that means that your engine is eating all that dust as well. You will ruin a piston very quickly if sawdust is getting into the engine.

Check to make sure the air filter is sealing properly. Possibly some grommets are missing around the choke, fuel line throttle rod or somewhere else.

[kevinm1980]

Also I find the rubber on these filters dry out and no longer seal as you can see in photos, I put a flashlight in an extra air box you you can really see it, had this happen on one of mine that I use on a regular basis, in last photo shows that I used 1/8x1/2" neoprene gasket that is adisive on one side, cork gasket material would probably be better but I had the neoprene already

[discovery2]

Hi thanks for the input I will have a look at the seal around the filter but I think it's almost certainly where the dust is getting in. I will have a look at the grommets as well. I haven't used it since the discovery of dust round the carb and thankfully it only made a couple of cuts when I noticed sparks coming from the exhaust. That's when I stopped to investigate it was starting to get dark so the sparks were obvious.
Best wishes William