Ok heres my problem
my engine wont start untill i shot a shot of carb cleaner in the carb
then it will start and run
sometimes it will start and try to die and you have to shoot a shot of cleaner in it before it dies and goose it then shell go on and run
any ideas of what this is?
i know its in the carb but what?
thanks

Could be a non- or poorly-seating intake valve. Does it spit back at all, or make a huffing noise back through the carb? Could be a vacuum leak, could be in the carb., or a worn throttle shaft(vacuum leak). You'll have to do more checking.

What is the engine model number? I would try the easy things first ...

1 tighten the screws where the carb mounts to the block
2 tighten the screws where the carb mounts to the gas tank
3 Check/ replace the diaphragm
4 Remove carb from gas tank and make sure little fill bowl is not leaking
5 make sure debris / rust is not floating around in tank or fill bowl
6 make sure the little hole is not plugged at the bottom of the short stick
7 make sure screen is not plugged on bottom of long stick