Homelite UT32600: Where's the Air Filter?

[primerbulb120]

I was given a Homelite UT32600 that would not start. I took of the air filter cover and there was no air filter. Or was there? A wire mesh covered the air intake, and that was all. I can't find an air filter for this machine anywhere online. Could it be that the wire mesh is all the air filter it's got?

 

[Vervepipes]

http://manuals.homelite.com/system/files/4508/original/UT32600_UT32650_056_trilingual.pdf?2011

Here is the owner's manual. The maintenance section (pg 9 or 10) refers to the air filter screen, as do figures 15 and 16. From the looks of it, there is no foam filter as there is no mention of one.

 

[primerbulb120]

That's weird. I don't think the mesh screen would keep out abrasive dust and other particles that could wear out the engine. Of course, Homelite may not have expected the trimmer to last long enough for it to be a problem. Thanks for clarifying this!

 

[ILENGINE]

There is no air filter shown on the parts diagram either. Just the air filter base and cover, but no filter mentioned.