4700 generac generator cutting off

Okay gentlemen, I have an update on my generator problem. Since yall started making me think outside the box on this issue this is what I came up with. I started thinking of possible over heating concern. I stuck my fingers as far as I could in the , what i am thinking, air inlet on slot on the bottom of generator feeling around. I pulled out a piece of egg crate looking foam,say 4x6, laying on the floor,on the flat side you could see where it looked like its been pressed against what appeared to be a metal grate. I put my phone as far as i could in the intake slot and took a picture. I am thinking this foam piece got sucked up against the fan grate and caused air flow blockage causing the generator to over heat with the added stress of running the ac. I ran the generator with the ac on after removing the foam for approx 35-40 minutes with no issue. I looked up a parts diagram and found the foam is supposed to be attached to the top of the air intake box. Question to ya'll , run it with no foam, I dont why its there, or try and install a new one? Thanks again for all the help.