Had to use the choke to start in 68 degree whether

[Greg57]

Originally Posted by finsruskw

How long had it sat since last started?
Todays crappy gas evaporates quickly from a tiny carb like these things have.

12 days earlier it was started and I mowed with it. It had maybe 1/3 of a tank of gas when I went to start it back up.

[evhevh]

I have always choked my older LTX-1045 and current XT1-LT46 (2018 with Kohler 7000). I would say that is normal operation. My instruction manual confirms it:

[ironman]

It has always been my uneducated/unsubstantiated opinion that cranking an engine that has not run recently is better off internally to fire up on a richer gas/air mixture than a lean gas/air mixture.
Call it lubrication of the valves, or combustion, or whatever you like, but like West Valley G said up above, my stuff starts best with a full choke on and then off after a couple cranks.
That being said, each piece of equipment has it's own temperament and we learn and adapt.
That's my opinion, stickin' to it.

[cubby102]

If properly tuned a carb will always like a little choke on start up.

If it always fires without choke it's likely set a bit rich.

[finsruskw]

It's a MANUAL choke, so use it!
If it were a thermostatic type automatic automotive choke it would also be somewhat closed on a cold start.
Not to worry,

[ol'George]

I don't think anyone touched on the fact that to comply with the clean air act, and California stringent rules, the newer stuff runs so lean it takes some choke to start.
Now that is for carbureted engines, as some newer equipment has fool injection and of course those have no choke.

Just my .02