I'm sorry to confuse, but you are correct, it doesnt have an idle. The normal operation RPM is not being reached because the RPMs are bouncing and keeping the motor running at a lower RPM than normal. When I tried to pull on the spring to get it into the normal RPM range, it still surged and would not smoothen out.
The only time I can get it to run smooth is when I hold steady the black plastic carb valve that the spring attaches to. That black plastic valve has an rod that connects to another arm in the back of the engine. I'm guessing that this is what's supposed to open/close the carb to a stable idle. What controls this arm, and how is it calibrated?