Hi Geoff, that is a problem I have with a number of them, always nervous when I know it is sticking, keeping my fingers crossed that it would work, because as you know there is no way of proving/ telling if it is working or not. If the mower won't start before I pull the need out I give the top of the carby a tap with the handle of a screwdriver and this can shake the needle loose. This method also works sometimes if the needle hasn't seated and fuel is flooding out the primer cap. When either of these problems happen I know I'm in for troubles, but there is nothing we can do about it. Every other small engine manufacture seems to be able to fit float needles that very rarely give problems, these things do my head
