Starts and runs rough, have to leave choke about half closed. what could cause this?

Use the diagnostic sheet attached to help determine the problem.

pilot jet pluged up needs to be cleaned.

Normal starting practice is always done with the ignition on, primer as many times as it takes to 3/4 fill the bulb, move choke to full closed, crank engine until it fires once, move choke to half if there is a half position, crank engine until it starts and runs, move choke to full off.

Believe it or not I used to be a mechanic for chrysler. There are a couple of things to look at and I'm sure you'll find the problem. #1 is to check for any vaccuum leaks in the hoses and the intake manifold.I do this by spraying carb cleaner in little spurts towards a specific area and listen to see if the engine rpm raises while it is running. #2 is a carb problem--Usually with the high idle solenoid (located on the Passenger side of the carb) or the choke. Check to see if you have power at the wires leading to the using a test light or a volt meter before you start it up. If you do have power then start the vehicle or have someone start it for you while you are under the hood and examine the choke operation. B4 you start it the vehicles choke should be completely closed. If it is, it should open as the vehicle warms up when working properly. If not working properly it will either stay closed and cause the vehicle to flood out or run rough and backfire or it will be open(stay open ) and the vehicle will not stay running unless warmed up for sure.# 3 It could also be caused by a combination of the high idle solenoid holding the choke open and then causing the choke to stick open.

Place the saw on full choke with the switch on. Pull the rope until it fires. Place the saw on half choke, and pull again, and it will start running. Half choke should release as soon as you hit the trigger.

this is down to fule shortage strip card and all fule pipes clean the tank on off tap and any filters fitted also check all the jets inside the carberetor blow out with comprest air,,,dont go pokeing wire into any jets!! that could wreck the jet, but its all down to fule shortage

I am going to assume you are following the warm start procedure in your manual. Most start problems with 2-cycle engines are caused by flooding.

Before you shut if off roll it to the side and loosen the fuel cap (vent tank - leave it loose until restart) Better? Repair fuel vent. No better carburetor needs small adjustment. This explains it better than I can but you will need to experiment some.
Carburetor Adjustment by Madsens.com
http://www.madsens1.com/saw%20carb%20tune.htm
CW is leaner; to lean will destroy the saw. If over tightened closed (CW) the adjustment screw faces are easily marred; marred adjustments are difficult to impossible to set properly.
Clean the air filter; adjusting with a dirty filter can cause a run lean condition once cleaned and the saw run.
There are 2 wav (sound - idle & full – may not be highlighted) files that I find most helpful, I think you will too.

Just because this is the most likely cause:
Start Procedure
Cold:

1. Ignition on/off to on
2. Set compression release – optional step even if saw is equipped with a compression release
3. Pull (close) choke, set fast idle (done when choke closed on some saws); pull starter and listen for an attempt to start. once heard (usually two pulls; no more than 4)
4. Set compression release – optional step even if saw is equipped with a compression release
5. Push (open) choke pull starter until it starts. (usually first pull)

Warm:

1. Ignition on/off to on
2. Set compression release – optional step even if saw is equipped with a compression release
3. Pull (close) choke, set fast idle (done when choke closed on some saws) – Do not pull with choke closed.
4. Push (open) choke, pull starter until it starts. (usually first pull)

I hope you found this helpful. You can reply below if you need additional help.
Lou

Ignition key on, throttle three quarters on, full choke, press primer 3 or 4 times, pull cord. Should cough, maybe start and run rough, then as it's chugging, turn choke to half, then quarter choke, let it warm up slightly, then choke off.

Fresh fuel? Does carburetor have adjustable jets? Turn the high speed jet (at bottom of float bowl) about 1/4 to1/2 CCW (looking at bottom of bowl). If no improvement, carburetor should be torn apart and cleaned. This also applies if there are no adjustable jets. Is there a fuel filter anywhere?

Where can i obtain a manual for the 5500 gas generator