Jim,

The spray issue is very common, perhaps a little more on your application as normally that engine is really tightly enclosed in a saw case with an air filter. There are a huge number of small engines with all types of filters out there. Some of the chainsaws have a mesh type filter. Very light yet very effective. Is there a chance you can check out a few saws? I think all you need is to stabilize the air flow a little? Trial and error.