I have seen lots of engines that would start fine the first time and after they warmed up they would be impossible to start with a stick. You will need to get a starter for it. $20 and you can't go wrong. get you a cordless drill battery and fix it to the rear of it. That is what I did. As long as the battery is 12 volts or a little more. I have a Porter Cable 19.2 on mine.... It spins the motor faster that it fast Idles..LOL
LATER