Doesn't explain the lack of easystart action, but I wonder if you have some form of fuel blockage that eventually worked itself free with all the cranking?
My tank had been lined at some point, and the ethanol had started to strip it off the sides of the tank like tissue paper. Was often blocking the jets, and clogging the washable filter I put in. Last straw was when it blocked the fuel pick up in the tank - only solved by me reverse blowing the fuel line (remove the petrol cap or it'll squirt strait back at you!).. After that I fitted a new stainless tank from SiFab....
