Nah, it's not broken. This is a known quirk with the vacuum-operated fuel pump. When the carburetor is completely dry, it takes extra pulls to prime the system.
It's normal to need several additional pulls of the starter grip after running the tank dry or after initial fueling. Just keep pulling smoothly and steadily. It might start on the 5th pull, might be the 8th. The engine will catch once fuel is drawn back into the carburetor.
IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: If it still refuses to start after a dozen good pulls, check two other things:
- Choke: Is the engine cold? Make sure the choke lever is in the CLOSED position for a cold start.
- Fuel Vent: Is the little lever on the gas cap in the ON position? If it's OFF, the tank is sealed and no fuel can flow.
HEADS UP: To avoid this in the future, try not to run the tank completely dry. Refuel when the level gets low, but always wait for the engine to cool first.