A few years ago I went through the carb (gaskets, packing, etc) on my Johnson FD-12. It has run great every summer until this spring. Could not seem to get it running. Fuel running out the front of the carb so I’m assuming stuck needle or float that won’t float. Took it apart tonight and that little wire clip holding the needle to the float arm was sitting in the bottom of the bowl. Took me a few minutes to remember how it is installed and why it’s relevant. It basically pulls the needle out of the seat when the float drops down and prevents the needle from sticking, correct? It seems those little wire clps only come with the rubber tipped needles, am I right about that?

Anyway, I reinstalled the clip but it seems like a hokey, crappy set up and it will be only a matter of time before it comes loose again. I’m hoping the problem was simply a stuck needle but I’ll find out tomorrow when I put the carb back on and give it a go.

A couple observations when disassembling the carb I so meticulously cleaned and re-built a few years ago:

-the packing seems to be deteriorating much faster than I thought it might. I added a piece to each needle.
-the carb is still very clean even though I tend to run this motor ALOT each summer.

Please let me know your thoughts on this little wire clip and whether or not you guys like/dislike the rubber tipped needles. In the future, if the needle is not grooved I think I’ll leave it be.

Thanks!
Scott