Engine only runs with full choke

Tried it again today and ran perfect. Flipped the switch to high idle and no burping or hesitation at all even even when it only ran for 20 seconds.

I seemed to have to flash the old miller on the service truck I was using back in the day, don't know why it would not hold the magnetism. Either a crusty mess carburetor, or fuel pump/ restriction and its not filling it all the way.

There could have been crap in rubber fuel line (that came loose) after the inline filter. That would also explain why it would only run on starting fluid until I blew air through the line. Maybe what ever was blocking the fuel got caught in a jet in the carb. It would be nice if it just needs to be flashed but it was welding good. Maybe a little corrosion or dirty slip rings??

Glad you got one problem solved. To keep the carb clean, I'd change out the inline filter and replace the hose between the filter and carb. As said above, old fuel lines will release garbage internally...and it doesn't take much to gunk up a jet.

I did put a new filter and hose on. The hoses that came with the filter were too short to use both of them but the existing inlet hose (before the filter) was in decent condition. I have some new hose at my property and will change the inlet hose when I get a chance. I also want to put a shut off valve on the gas tank. It's kind of dumb someone took the original sediment bowl/fuel shut off off. The welder engine is running good now so the first priority is to get it welding. Then I'll clean up to get it ready to sell.

Im no welder repair guy,but we ran big 40 s on our camp welding trucks a lot. The only welding end failure i saw was the diodes .Especially when they just sudenly quit welding for no reason. They are right on the end and easy to change.

They are generally pretty reliable. I hope it's something simple like diodes. One of the guys at the repair shop thought the brushes might need to be changed if it was sitting for awhile.

Welder Dave said:

Tried it again today and ran perfect. Flipped the switch to high idle and no burping or hesitation at all even even when it only ran for 20 seconds.

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A couple things. I have decades in small engines. You were most certainly not getting enough fuel. One thing that will continue to bite people is WATER! You go buy E10 fuel, but Ethanol is high hygroscopic! Meaning in a tanker with 70% humid air sloshing around, it's sucking up water, and water is heavier than the fuel. This sits at the bottom of the bowl and absolutely IS a lack of fuel, because it's trying to run on water! Fuel sampling is a big part of my madness! Always have a glass mason jar around.

Other is actual blockage in a jet. Do NOT go changing carb settings! If it ran perfect before, it's NOT a setting issue! Always examine passages before the "cleaning" so you know where the issue is. I can't even tell you how many carbs I fixed that were "just cleaned" via DIY.

Yes, you should have a filter without question, just before the carb!

It could have been a little water in the float bowl but I'm more inclined to think it was some deteriorated rubber or crap in the fuel line. When I first tried to start it it would only run on starting fluid for a few seconds. When I blew air through the fuel line to the carb after the filter it ran properly. At first anyway then it acted up again so I got a new filter. Still would only run on choke but ran good after draining some gas from the float bowl. I think some crap came out but could have been a couple water droplets.