I understand the front coil is difficult to get at and I'm sure difficult to really get at the primary (low tension lead) wires. What may have been a check may not have been a good cleaning, tightening and inspection. Damp or moisture issues going to a hot dry issue says a connection issue to me. If I were doing it, I would be pulling those wires, cleaning all the terminal with some 600 grit wet/dry, tightening them beyond question with a little dielectric grease on them. With that done, I would start looking elsewhere if I still had the issue.
