Carb needles keep sticking closed, wondering why?

[hotrod53]

Three times now I had a carb needle stick in the UP (closed) position, and not all on the same carb. These are the rubber coated needles. Each time I took the carb off and the bowl as dry, I remove the float and have to grab the needle/spring with needle nose pliers to free it. I have cleaned the seat with a Q tip and wiped off the rubber coated needle. I guess replacing the needle and seat is thr right thing to do. If I replace them, should I use all metal or rubber coated needles?

In the meantime I removed the fuel line and let the motor use up the fuel in the bowl when I shut it down, maybe I should get in the habit of doing that all of the time?

 

[haventaclue]

I do that everytime,run the carbs dry.The ethanol in your gas will not be helping either.Perishes the rubber.

 

[timebandit]

Throw the needle away.

 

[hotrod53]

replace needle, needle and seat, use a metal needle, use rubber tipped needle... what do you suggest?

 

[ciscokid]

replace needle and seat,what ever you do,do not push down on the needle with your finger like alot of people do.the float is designed for float weight only.if you push down on needle it expands the rubber end and cause it to flood or sometimes stick.

 

[hotrod53]

I'm hearing to use a Merc OEM needles that are gray with an orange tip, any comment and were can I find them? I think the part nunber is 1395-9022 as close as I can figure. My motor is a 1977, Merc 4 cylinder, 500, serial #4803973

 

[ciscokid]

oops i meant to say the needle is designed for float weight only.I have no idea where to get those needles.If you find them and they work let us know!!!

 

[wynjim55]

When you replace the needles/seats you should check the float operation. There is a float height / position measurement which needs to be set correctly. You may already know this, it just wasn't specified above.