It is your air filter. Take it off and wash it out with soap and water. Dry and put some engine oil on it and squeeze it into the filter. This helps catch the dust trying to get through the filter which could cause engine damage. If it is degraded, replace with a new one. The engine requires the correct air/fuel mixture to run properly. Those engines also are noted for dirt and water getting into the gas tank because of the gas cap venting. If this happens you have to remove the tank and flush it out.
I hope this is of some help.
John at Rona
January 2005