Big Dog2 wrote:
My 2000 is much the same. I found that if I turned the knob(on/off knob) from off to on and just let it sit for a a minute or so before trying to start, it would start in one or two pulls (with the choke on). I don't know if this will resolve your problem but it seems to have made a difference for mine. Hope it works for you.
You are spot on with your assessment. Quite by accident i discovered if i turn the on/off knob on and turn the choke to the on position it will crank first or second pull everytime, "IF" i let it sit a couple of minutes before trying to start. I hate to admit this but i did it the other way for about 7 years with results similar to the OP. :S