Chainsaws

Dennis,

It would be nice If Husqvarna will give you a buy back, and I hope you have that in writing from the Dealer that it can't be fixed. That would be important documentation, which would help your case. 

However, I have seven Model 455's and have Not found a single one that could not be repaired, so again my own opinion is that I would try to fix the oil leak. Some oil leaks can be a rather simple fix and very easy. I would be glad to try and help you with this, and provide some suggestions for you to try. The Model 455 is really a very nice Homeowner chainsaw, again in my opinion.

So here is my first suggestion, If you would like to try it.  Completely remove the oil fill cap from the oil tank, put the cap in some warm soapy water or a little degreaser, and thoroughly clean the cap. Next remove the seal on the cap, do not use any sharp tools that will scratch or cut the seal, it will peel off like an "O" ring. Clean both sides of the seal, and inspect it to make sure its clean and smooth on both sides, also clean the area under the seal on the cap, Now reverse the seal and put it back on the cap. Clean with a shop towel or rag the area around the opening of the tank and where the cap seals itself to the tank. Now, put the cap back onto the tank. Add some bar chain oil to the tank, No need to completely fill it up since you stated it completely empties, and then Re-install and snug the cap to the tank. Put the chainsaw on some newspaper or a piece of cardboard, and see If it leaks, It may take a day or two to see If there are any oil stains on the cardboard, Or If this fix has corrected the problem.

I know, It doesn't seem feasible that an OIL cap can leak all of the oil out of the tank, but I have seen it myself and fixed the problem with at least one chainsaw with this simple fix, and it will remain fixed if this was your problem. There are other possibilities of why the Oil leaks from the tank but you will need to figure out exactly where the oil is leaking at, which can be done by putting a little oil in the Tank, wiping the bottom of the chainsaw dry and clean and setting it on a piece of cardboard to determine where the oil stain and initial leaking occurs. Oh, If you are Interested in How its possible for oil to move up the inside of the tank and come out thru the oil cap, then Google the physics of "Capillary Action", It really is amazing and I didn't believe it was possible, but again I have seen it on chainsaw Oil tanks.

I hope the above Information helps, If you decide otherwise thats OK  and hope that you can get "Buy Back or Refund"

Karla

PS. I am Not a Husqvarna Representative or Repair Service, just an experimental chainsaw person.