Wont start w/o starter fluid

[Lawnflop3]

Hi my engine was running fine earlier but i noticed some gas leaking from the carb area. The first thing i did was take apart the carb and clean it and make sure all the seals were good to stop the leak. I put it all back together and now my engine wont start or even sputter a little. If i spray starter fluid it will start just fine and continue running just fine until i stop it. As soon as i stop it however, it will not start again even if i kill it for a second or two it will not start without more fluid. Fresh gas, fresh oil, and i am getting fuel into the bowl. Engine is a kohler XT-7 Why is this happening? Thank you bless up

 

[PTmowerMech]

After you put everything back together, was there still gas leaking like before? And where was it leaking from?
When you put everything back together, did you get the choke mechanism back together properly?