You might wanna put a cover on it, EH ? (-: I just use a cheap grill cover for mine, and bungee it. At least get the direct rain off of it. Like your idea of celebrating when it starts. Think I may have fixed my carb problem, did not have to crank for 20 minutes in 40 degree MI weather, so had time for a big greasy donut before work! Your 2003
issue sounds much like my 2003 people issue. I sprayed fogging oil in the carb while running, seemed to clear something out. I'm not saying this would help for you, sounds like you got a handle on it. Wonder if the 2003 models have more issues? Can't imagine the design changed that much, though.