Larry- This sounds like a very similar problem that I had when I first bought mine. Turns over, starts fine, 2-3 seconds of hard idle, then kaput. It would usually take me 10-12 tries to get mine up to running capability. This did turn out to be my warm up regulator. It's located on the back left hand side of the engine, attached on the top of the block. It's very simple to remove, two hex screws, a couple of hoses and an electonic connection, it's done. This cleared my problem right up. Scott #16738