Will start with chock on but wont stay running with it off

Probably clogged screen in carb on the solid cast side. Usually only one screw in center, be carful of gasket and diaphragm and check flap valves for debris.

I'm sure you have dirt in your carb. If you know how to take the carb apart......You need to get a can of carb cleaner and carb kit. Take the carb apart and spray every hole and nook a crany you can see. Put the new kit in the carb and you should be ready to go!! This has happened to several times.

Sounds like the carb needs to be adjusted by someone that knows how to repair engines. Note: if the carb is set too lean, it will damage the engine.

check the fuel filter to see if its dirty or not under fuel . also you will have to re-tune the carb . or check for compression in the engine it should be at 120 or above you may also want to change the plug

your running out the gas in the carb out you need to rebiuld the carburator probably dirt in the carb from bad gas

Before pulling the carb apart, drain the fuel fit a new filter in the fuel tank, check the fuel hoses up to the carb for splits, cracks or leakage, replace if required.

It wont be flooding because of a stuck choke, It would be a stuck float and float needle jet, so you may still need to clean the carb

sticky choke maybe, try carb cleaner, check the air-cleaner filter,depending on were you live, maybe some dry gas.from the symtom's sounds like it's chocking out,those are the easy cheap thing's first, now check the fuel filter, then the fue pump, prividing your getting good spark to fire up the fuel,good luck

I have an 01, and it started doing this. I don't remember the circumstances. It's just dirty in the carb I think.

1) Check for water in the gas.
2) Turn off the petcock and drain the carb. turn it back on.
3) Try it.
4) Start it with the choke on and put your hand over the air filter hole. Will cause some back flow.
5) Try again.

Worked for me. Might be dirtier on yours, or have mud in it or something.

If you have a compression gauge, check the compression. Anything under 90psi is too low.

Check your flywheel key. If it is broken the flywheel will move and not fire at the correct time.

Note: if it does not sputter with carb cleaner then it's not your carb.

Next:
Remove your exhaust manifold. Look into the cylinder with a flash light. You are looking for scratches. Anything larger then a light fingernail is definite proof you need a new cylinder/piston assy.

If it passes that test do the following:

Pour mixed fuel straight into your cylinder until 1/4 full. Slowly pull your saw over while looking into the cylinder. If you see bubbles after the ring/rings go by then you need a new cylinder/piston assy. On rare occasions if no scratches are present on the cylinder wall or piston, you may be able to change just the rings.