update from test today.truck sat for two days without being started.
i pulled the choke knob all the way out.
i pulled the air cleaner off and verified that the choke was engaged and plate closed.
i turned the key to on and pressed the start pedal.
truck started within 2 seconds. what the.....huh?
it never started up so quickly like that (when sitting for days) since i have owned it. after my initial shock I was pleasantly surprised.
the only thing different, that i can think of for this test, is that i tried starting it with the air cleaner 'off'; i have not done that before. i then put the air cleaner back on and it started right up - as it usually does after an initial start - so the opportunity had passed to see if the air cleaner is involved with the issue.
now, maybe i just got lucky for some other reason (not the aircleaner). so, the next test will be to try the initial start, after performing the choke validation, AND with the air cleaner on, after sitting for 2 days. I will report back.
thanks again for all of the replies and great advice!
