Small engines - hard starting....
 

Does anybody here understand small engines, especially electronic/automatic chokes? I have a go kart, bought for the kids last winter, that is nearly impossible to start.

Once it gets going, it runs great, but to start it, I usually have to take off the intake (so I can see the carb) and hold the choke open with a screw driver.... once it starts, the kids have to drive it around before it will idle.

Starting fluid.

Those small engines eat up spark plugs.

The choke could probably be adjusted so it open all the way,same as the screwdriver-trick. A new/cleaned air filter will get rid of that variable. The choke should be closed when cold and fully open when warm.
The bad-running-while-cold symptoms could be a fuel filter/pump problem, or possibly another variable. Also checking the timing to the manufacturers specs won't hurt a thing.

Fuel. Air. Spark(at the right time).

ditto starting fluid.

yup again starting fluid. I have a lawnmower like that. You pull and pull and pull, no go. A few squirts of starting fluid and it runs like a champ!

Tried starting fluid today. It still takes too long to get it running right.

huh...you did get the SF right down the carbs throat right?
Sounds like a very weak spark, the SF shouls flare right up.

it does fire on the starting fluid. Can't keep it running long enough to 'warm up' I don't think the automatic choke is working correctly.

2 stroke ?

heat the spark plug with torch [out of the motor]
reincert HOT
that both cleans off the oil and prevents refouling
or use a super hot plug to warm up and switch
back to normal for running

btw ONLY premix enuff oil/gas to run that day
premixed fuel goes bad very fast
so drain both the tank and carb

Nope, 4 stroke. Spent a few hours on google last night, it is a GY6 type engine, 150cc. I'm 90% certain the carb is screwed up.