I'm having a terrible time starting this thing. It will turn over, run a couple seconds and die. If I can get in gear before it does it runs and sounds great. Not sure where to start, would cleaning carbs be alright or should I put a kit in them while they are off? I don't know about the fuel pumps I haven't had this one very long. Thank you for the help.

Can you let it run on fast idle for a while till it warms up. You do know how to work the indent so it will work the throttle only? In neural pull the control handle out for throttle only.

Yes, that doesn't seem to make difference. The guy I got it from said it always started first turn but would die, then after that it was good. And it was when I fished out of it with him on occasion.

Always been a cold natured beast. If you didn't know it idles on two cylinders and runs on four, which is why it runs after it's been prodded a while. Carbon reeds help a lot, and make sure your linkage is sinched up correct.

Welllllllll

Welcome to the club, i have one as well, they are very frustrating to say the least.
Yes its a 2+2 carbed system.
If u have not had carbs cleaned and rebuilt you need to.
I have recently found they have a choke/ fuel sylanoid that primes the fuel system before starting.
Unfortantly mine is not working.

Once it is tuned in they are pretty good motors