Bet and Win Hard To Start On First Try Of The Day

[Togger]

I've had this problem for years. I just got a new battery, which helps, but the first start of the day is difficult when the engine is cold. Once it's warmed up, it starts easily after that. Usually it will almost start. The next try it will only grind. I then have to give the throttle a few twists. I might have to do this 3-4 times, then it will start. Once it's warmed up there's no problem. Is this an automatic choke problem, or carburetor?

[JJJoseph]

If it's carbureted, yes it's totally normal if the OAT is less than ~15C.  If you open and close the throttle a few times, the accelerator pump will enrich the mixture and your engine will start right up.  Note that fuel-injected machines don't behave the same as carb'd machines.  You can't do this trick with fuel-injection because the EFI takes care of all these little quirks.