1998 yamaha 25 hp two stroke

by Bill
(New Jersey)

1998 yamaha 25 hp two stroke

Engine usually starts right up but every once in a while it will crank a couple of times and the starter will kick out. Once it starts it will start on 1st crank all day long. The motor is new to me- first start of the day I pump the ball a couple of times pull out choke, lift idle lever and hit the starter, it will ether start right up or crank one time and the starter will trip out. If the starter kicks out before it starts it will continue to do this and I will let it sit for a while and than it will start right up. It seems like I might be flooding it but why does the starter kick out?