I have the same problems starting, with the first flight being tough and there often not being a second or third one because the engine seems to get progressively harder to start with each flight of the day until it is just impossible. On the times it does start it will surge and surge until it finally becomes stabilized and then it performs great. But the thing that will make me trash an engine faster than anything is spending more time flipping than flying and that is where this one is headed unless I get somewhere fast with it. And yes, there are no air leaks in the line, etc. etc.