On these Solo 2 stroke engines, that filter is just on the end of a hose that runs in the tank up the filler neck, to vent the tank. If it's restricted in any way the engine dies. The effect was immediate when I removed it, it will also fragment and little pieces will end up in the carb. These engines will run, and they are powerful. I had luck with removing/disassembling and cleaning the carb, removing the tank vent filter, and removing the air filter. I feel his frustration, it sucked out of the box.