Series 3 Starting Issue

[SESH]

My series 3 has had starting issues for the last two days. On Sunday I took it out for a run. I hadn't used it for about 3 weeks so expected it to take a few turns to start. However, after cranking it for a while I had no ignition. Tried it a few more times - nothing. Then suddenly it started, with a bit of smoke out the exhaust. Then went for a run put some more petrol in it and it started fine every time. There are no running issues, no misfire or hesitation, all running smoothly. So I thought hey it's probably just that it hadn't been run for a few weeks. Then yesterday (Monday) went to start it and had the same issues. It has never done this before. My suspicion is fuel starvation. Could it be the fuel pump playing up (although pump was changed profesionally about 3000 miles ago with a new alternative pump - non SU), a blocked fuel filter or a fuel line blockage. But strange thing is that it runs perfectly once it has started. Any thoughts - thanks.
Mike

[MarekH]

Dear Mike,

If you are short of fuel, then opening the choke (a little more) should give it more fuel.

kind regards
Marek

[SESH]

Thanks for the thought Marek, but it was on full choke to start first thing in the morning. Engine turned but no sign of firing. Then at the point I thought of giving up it fired and ran normally albeit with a bit of smoke from the oil that had built up in the bores.