Yamaha Generator, spark arrester AND muffler?

[Rmack1]

I fixed my Yamaha EF 2000iF generators from not running by removing the little disk of what looks like scrunched-up wires that was clamped on the end of the exhaust pipe, which had become completely fouled up with black deposits.

I assumed this was the 'spark arrestor' described in the manual, and just left it off, as I was camping in a clear area in desert that you couldn't start on fire if you wanted to.

I was surprised to find an additional cone shaped screen that was attached inside the end of the exhaust pipe. This needed cleaning also, but had different sort of deposits on it. This would probably stop any sparks by itself, so I changed my mind, and identified this as the spark arrestor.

My generator ran great without the little disk filter thing. It was hard to tell if it was any louder, but I'm wondering if the disk is actually a sound muffler. Or is it another component to spark arresting besides the cone shaped screen?

My next trip will be on Mt Laguna in SoCal, and I bet it's pretty dry up there this year, so I want to be sure my gennies are spark-arrested. Also, I'll be in a campground, so having the gennies as quiet as possible would be desirable.

Bottom line; is there any down side to running without the compacted wire disk filter installed on the end of the exhaust pipe?

[westend]

They are both spark arrestors. Clean them up or replace the external screen.

[Rmack1]

SWD wrote:
The screen is there to capture glowing carbon grains/granules that get blown out while the engine runs under a sustained load. Removing it and the internal screen cone arrestor will do no harm, other than setting the woods/grass/building on fire if you're running it in an area with downstream "combustibles". It actually sounds pretty good without them, but that's usually not desirable coming from any generator.

So, you are saying that the internal cone and the smashed together wire disk that is clamp on to the outside of the exhaust pipe are both just spark arrestors? That the disk doesn't suppress sound at all?

[byronlj]

Please stay away from the forest I live in if you are going to do anything to your spark arrestor besides cleaning it, which is normal. We have fire restrictions in place a month early this year.
Dave

[SWD]

The screen is there to capture glowing carbon grains/granules that get blown out while the engine runs under a sustained load. Removing it and the internal screen cone arrestor will do no harm, other than setting the woods/grass/building on fire if you're running it in an area with downstream "combustibles". It actually sounds pretty good without them, but that's usually not desirable coming from any generator.