kohler generator starting weird

I have a Kohler Generator with a Honda GX360 motor on it. It has just began to be difficult to start. Here's what it does:

It will crank normally, the motor will fire, the motor will rev up one time, then the generator will stop. It will do this over and over, but sometimes will refuse to continue running.

If I manually pull the throttle linkage back about halfway between where it is (wide open) while cranking, and hold it there till it runs for a couple of seconds, then it starts, revs up, and keeps running normally. It does not smoke weird, and pulls all of my high draw appliances just like normal. After it is warm, it will usually start again on its own but sometimes takes 2 or 3 tries. Sometimes it still will require a hand on the throttle linkage again to help it go. Compression is fine, air cleaner was very clean, plug looks good (and I've installed new ones several times to rule outa problem there).

The manual does not really give much insight into what may be the cause.

Has anybody run into a similar problem?

Does the engine have an automatic choke or a manual one? If the choke is working ok your high speed jet is clogged. by pulling the the throttle back half way youre pulling more fuel through the idle circut to help start the engine. your better off just rebuilding the carburetor.