I have a twin II 16 model 402447 that is on a generator which had been sitting in a garage for two years. I cleaned carb and replaced gaskets. now it will start and run good until you put air cleaner top plate on then dies and won't start again untill you remove top plate again. also seems to be alot of gas coming up out of carb. thanks.

Just for kicks, try taking the filter element out. Start her up and put cover on and see if she dies now. If no, to next step.

does it blow black smoke when you put the filter on if it does sounds like the filter might have got wet or soaked with oil needs a new air filter

no black smoke and this is a new filter. gas is shooting up out of the carb though, and I'm thinking now that the needle valve is stuck open and it is choking when I put the filter on by restricting the air flow. I'm going to check the float tonight.

I'll try this if still doesn't run after check float and needle valve.

ok got the thing running with air cleaner on but still bogs down after 30 seconds or so. still seems to be getting to much gas. black smoke. have replaced the needle valve and adjusted the float to level. when I shut off the gas, with in line shut off, engine runs great for the 15 seconds just before it runs out of gas. could high speed jet still have a problem? any advice is appreciated.

have you tried leaning out the mixture?

turn all the way in snug, then out 1.5 turns.