Noob question of the day: Which way does the filter go?

[darwin]

The see through bubble where the metal plate, (On the left hand side in the pic), holding that little round magnet inside the case faces the gas tank, the white cap end, (on the right in the pic), faces the carby intake tube.

I see a metal base plate that holds the glued folded filter in place. Where in that pic is a magnet located? Do not see it.

 

[Chainlube]

I see a metal base plate that holds the glued folded filter in place. Where in that pic is a magnet located? Do not see it.

Some filters have the magnet, some don't. The narrow end of the filter goes to the tank.
There are some that just has a filter element in between the two halves that don't require orientation.

 

[Wrench]

I use a pancake see thru filter
It don't matter which way ya put it on because there's just a fine screen in the middle
It also can be cleaned by spraying carb cleaner thru it the opposite way the gas flows.
I just change the filter every year because I buy 10 filters for $10

 

[Wrench]

I had a problem with the filters with the paper/foam/element in it
Small fibers were coming off the filter element and getting into the carb
Maybe it was just a crappy China filter but I never used em again after that

I have been using the Pancake filter for the last 15 years and never have had a carb problem due to dirt getting past the filter
But of course I clean my carb every 1K miles