Off the cuff I would say to verity that the float is level. At times you will find the tiny retaining wire on the needle juts off to 1 side. Just be sure that it isn't interfering with the float mount in the cover. Have you verified the assy of the pump?

Thks for the response tomplum, yes the float is perfectly level, I checked it last time it was apart. And nothing is in the seat area preventing the new needle from seating properly. The leak seems to be right under the FP assembly. There was a little confusion about the assembly of the FP due to the parts diagram mower shops use showing the spring and cup on the wrong side of the diaphragm, but it has been determined that my pump assembly is correct.

This post was edited by gastorms1 on Wed, Jun 19, 13 at 11:02

I have stopped the FP leak with a new gasket kit but the engine is still surging at idle after cleaning the carburetor 3 times. Fresh gas, new gas filter, new FP body, clean air filter, new spark plugs, blew out the fuel lines.

The engine runs smoother with the choke knob pulled out a little but dies after a period of running. Been told that the magneto may be breaking down when it gets hot and that's a separate issue from the surging problem.

Any ideas?

Look for vacuum leaks in the intake SYSTEM.