DR 200 runs really cold. Takes about 15 minutes or so to warm up

Are you giving it any throttle when you try to start it, yu shouldnt, keep throttel completely closed when using hte choke or you will flood the engine

Assuming the engine is in good shape and not in need of a major tune-up, check your carburetor choke. It's not closing when cold. Clean and adjust.

Get a service manual and follow the instructions. Far too complicated to cover here.

Also, make sure you know how to properly SET the choke on a cold start. Slowly push the gas pedal to the floor and let up. Start engine without touching gas. If it's REALLY cold, like 0 degrees, you can hold the pedal halfway down while starting, after setting the choke.

Maybe the ignition switch has a glitch in that power for spark is only relayed while you release it. I would try another switch on a hunch.

first drain the carby, then set your air mixture screw 2 turns out, from the fully turned in position. The starting proceedure is as follows, when the engine is COLD, turn on fuel, pull on the choke fully, and kick the engine over. DO NOT use any throttle, when the engine is cold, and the choke is on. Remember Choke on, NO throttle.
When warm, no choke, and a little throttle when kicking.

You need to have the choke adjusted on the carburetor. Are you familiar enough with it to try yourself? Usually only takes a few minutes, and best to do it when engine is cold.

G'day mate the 1st thing i would go for is float level then compresion if it does have the **** it wont take the fuel in , rules are if it has **** ( induction ) Squeeze (compression) Bang ( spark) and Blow (free exhaust) then it should go, if it was running to lean there is good chance it has a burnt exhaust valve which will greatly drop the compression/induction, also check the valve clearence. hope this helps

Are you pushing down on the choke lever really hard? These things have a really tight choke lever. I choke mine and reduce the choke to maintain 1500 or so RPM until it is slightly warmed up. Then it runs fine. These are cold blooded machines.

Hope this helps.

Bob

Check your automatic choke ... a cold mower needs more choke, and the auto-choke should release when the motor warms and runs smoothly. If the choke is sticking, the motor will die when it gets warmed up, then start again after it cools down.

check the choke setting