Is there a way to tell if the float is stuck in a carb?

 

actually it's the needle and seat that's sticking, and yes u can tell. if there's trash getting in the way, it wont stop the fuel and the bowls will overfill and will run out into the engine. u can see this when u look down the carb with the engine off and fuel pump running. i've never had them stick in the closed position, not alowing fuel into the carb.