Take the air filter off. Have someone move the throttle control arm while you're looking at the carburetor and you should see where the throttle linkages is moving and needs to be linked to the throttle plate in the carb. When it is linked up and the throttle control arm is in the neutral position, the throttle plate should be closed when you look down into the carb. When the throttle control arm is fully advanced in forward, the throttle plate at the carb should be full open. As others have said, leave the air filter off, get a spark arrester.Should I chuck that air filter and get an actual flame arrestor?