Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Engine Interchangeability, briggs and stratton, briggs stratton

Question
We have a craftsman DYT 4000 with a Briggs and Stratton 22hp Intek engine. We had to have the original engine replaced last year with only 40 hours of mowing time on it. The new (not rebuilt) second engine has 28 hours on it, and it messed up this weekend. We live in West Texas with a lot of sand and dirt. We found out that with all the sand and dirt that the air filter doesn't seal well enough to keep the engine from sucking in a large amount of dirt which causes the engine to begin dropping a cylinder. This means to us that whether we buy another Briggs & Stratton 22hp Intek engine or whether we have this one rebuilt, we will continue to have the same problem with each successive engine. What I would like to know is this..Is there another brand of engine that will bolt up to our riding mower or one in which our mower can be modified to take that will have a better type of air filter that won't be subject to this problem?

Answer
Hello V:

All the Filtering Systems are Going to be About the Same. Did you Seal the Air Filter Housing to the Carburetor with Silicone? Did you Seal the Air Filter Cartriage to the Air Filter Housing? I Do this with All My Air Filters to Assist in Keeping Dirt and Dust Out of the Engine. Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John