TBSS70. Starts fine, will continue to run if I hold the choke flip switch in the start ( choked) position. If let the choke flip switch go the engine with run at higher RPM for a few seconds then die like it ran out of gas. Any thoughts on the problem and fix?

Sounds like the choke plate is not closing completely. The choke linkage may be loose and/or mis-adjusted.

• Check all connections , fuel, battery, etc
• Squeeze primer bulb until firm
• Lift choke switch , listen for operation (click)
• Raise idle speed lever, not too much, be prepared to lower quickly if engine starts to over rev . (remember, this is a 1972, it does not have much for safeties.)
• lift and HOLD choke switch
• Turn key to crank
• release choke when fires
• if running, you may have to flip choke switch again until it warms up.
• watch idle speed as 2 cycles can "run away"
• Hope this helps
• All of this assumes the motor is in the down position and IN THE WATER or hooked up to a flush device.
• NEVER start the motor without water going to the gear case(water pump)

Try slackening the fuel filer cap to make sure there is not a vacum building up

Instructions

1. • 1 Locate the red button on the top of the handlebars. This is called the "kill switch." When you pull it up the engine can run; when you push it down, the engine will shut off immediately.
     
   • 2 Pull the kill switch up.
     
   • 3 Turn the key to the "on" position.
     
   • 4 Make certain the cord running from the key is attached to the steering column. This device acts in the same manner as the kill switch - the engine will run only when it is secured.
     
   • 5 Pull the start cord, which looks like an enlarged lawnmower pull-cord and is generally found on the right side of the machine.
     
   • 6 Listen to the engine - if it starts, let it get going slowly . If it "pops" but does not continue to run, try pulling the start cord a few more times. If you do not hear the engine turn over at all, proceed to the next step.
     
   • 7 Find the pull tab under the right side of the handlebars. This is called the choke - it often has a circle with a diagonal line through it. The choke helps to start an engine when the weather is very cold or the machine hasn't been used in a while. When using the choke, try leaving it on only long enough to hear the engine fire a couple times, then return it to the "off" position. A choke left on too long can flood the engine.
     
   • 8 Place the choke in the vertical position - this is called the half choke position. Pull the start cord several times. If the engine fires up, place the choke back down to its original position and let it slowly warm up. If the engine still has trouble starting, proceed to the next step.
     
   • 9 Pull the choke 180 degrees from its original position - this is called the full choke. Pull the start cord until the engine sputters a couple times.
     
   • 10 Replace the choke to the original off position and continue to pull the cord. The engine should fire up and settle into a steady hum, ready for fun in the snow.
     

Instructions

1. • 1 Locate the red button on the top of the handlebars. This is called the "kill switch." When you pull it up the engine can run; when you push it down, the engine will shut off immediately.
     
   • 2 Pull the kill switch up.
     
   • 3 Turn the key to the "on" position.
     
   • 4 Make certain the cord running from the key is attached to the steering column. This device acts in the same manner as the kill switch - the engine will run only when it is secured.
     
   • 5 Pull the start cord, which looks like an enlarged lawnmower pull-cord and is generally found on the right side of the machine.
     
   • 6 Listen to the engine - if it starts, let it get going slowly . If it "pops" but does not continue to run, try pulling the start cord a few more times. If you do not hear the engine turn over at all, proceed to the next step.
     
   • 7 Find the pull tab under the right side of the handlebars. This is called the choke - it often has a circle with a diagonal line through it. The choke helps to start an engine when the weather is very cold or the machine hasn't been used in a while. When using the choke, try leaving it on only long enough to hear the engine fire a couple times, then return it to the "off" position. A choke left on too long can flood the engine.
     
   • 8 Place the choke in the vertical position - this is called the half choke position. Pull the start cord several times. If the engine fires up, place the choke back down to its original position and let it slowly warm up. If the engine still has trouble starting, proceed to the next step.
     
   • 9 Pull the choke 180 degrees from its original position - this is called the full choke. Pull the start cord until the engine sputters a couple times.
     
   • 10 Replace the choke to the original off position and continue to pull the cord. The engine should fire up and settle into a steady hum, ready for fun in the snow.
     

The black smoke and black spark plugs indicate that the engine is running very rich (ie too much fuel). This could be caused by the choke not opening fully after the engine starts and the fuel mixture is too rich OR the fuel mixture setting is opened too far.
Check the choke lever, make sure the choke is fully open when the choke is in the running position.
When the engine is running with the throttle is in the 3/4 rev position then adjust the fuel mixture to get the highest RPM.

let it warm up with choke closed manually after it starts to stall with choke closed open it and dont let it stall u can learn to play with the choke a little to get it to run right GOOD LUCK!

Try cleaning or replacing the air filter.

When you are in choke, it is not using very much air, it is running a very rich mixture. When you switch it to run, then it demands more air and it sounds like its being starved.

Generally with two cycle engine as soon as the engine starts the choke needs to be moved to the off or open position. Some chokes have a middle position that lets the motor run until it is warm enough to move the choke into the open position. In other words weather it is a two or four cycle engine the choke is used only to start the engine. If you unit is newer and still does not run well with the choke in the open position, you may need to adjust the hi-speed circuit to a richer one.

Where can i obtain a manual for the 5500 gas generator