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Service & Maintenance Question

    Michel
    Is it normal that my 445 chainsaw leaks a lot of chain oil ?Answered
    Service & Maintenance Question posted June 6, 2010 by Michel, last edited February 10, 2012 by HusqvarnaAnswerArmy Silver, tagged 445 
    18522 Views, 21 Comments
    Question:
    Is it normal that my 445 chainsaw leaks a lot of chain oil ?
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    Best Answer

    Peter B.

    Hi Michel,

    It's not normal for any Chainsaw to leak a lot of oil.  Your best option would be to take the product to a Husqvarna service dealer and have them evaluate the product.  Keep in mind this is not adjustable and you want all the components related to this function to be in good working condition.

    Always make sure to use the proper bar and chain oil.

    Please refer to the dealer service locator below, I hope this helps.

    /images/us/dealer-locator/

    Sincerely,

    Consumer Support Representative

    Husqvarna Professional Products Inc

    Answer

    • Peter B.

      Hi Michel,

      It's not normal for any Chainsaw to leak a lot of oil.  Your best option would be to take the product to a Husqvarna service dealer and have them evaluate the product.  Keep in mind this is not adjustable and you want all the components related to this function to be in good working condition.

      Always make sure to use the proper bar and chain oil.

      Please refer to the dealer service locator below, I hope this helps.

      /images/us/dealer-locator/

      Sincerely,

      Consumer Support Representative

      Husqvarna Professional Products Inc

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    • Karla

      Michel, I agree with the Consumer Support Representative, However I have seen a lot of chain saws, and in fact besides other chainsaws, I own two Husqvarna 455 ranchers, which both always have some residual oil after the engine has been running for a while, and I have been doing some cutting. For yourself, I would do a simple test to quantify the amount of bar chain oil you are seeing. Use a measuring cup and measure a 1/4 C. of oil, and dump it into your case and see If that is the quantity of oil you are seeing on a regular basis. If it is, I would wipe it up with a rag and use the rag to wipe down, and clean the chain saw, Its a great preservative. Both of my saws always have 1 or 2 ounces of oil in the case, Also my old Homelite too. I think the reason the oil is there is actually good, it means your bar and chain are getting plenty of oil for cutting. When the engine, bar, and chain are still hot after use the viscosity of the oil is thinned, and as the parts cool down the engine oil drips, and runs back in the bar channel from the chain, and also any residual inside the case from the oiler, and pools in one spot looking like alot of oil. Other choice would be to allow your chain saw to cool for several hours, before putting it away, and wait for the vicosity of the oil to thicken again, and it won't drip. Just a thought, and definitely something to think about!

      Michael, I have recently read several additional FAQ's on Chainsaw oilers, and If you are truely getting alot of leaking oil, Then I would also recommend going to an Authorized service center. It also sounds like from FAQ's read that Husqvarna has changed some of the oiler components, and you may need one of these new parts. Again, I hope this helps.

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      • Llewellyn cobb

        Excellent advice.. When you mentioned Homelite saw I didn't they sold that anymore.. I have had a Homelight  since 1972 and it leaks oil like a sieve..  But it is  just a few pounds and good when hunting and climbing up  mountains etc. But no one can stop the oil leak and it is a mess. I only put in little chain oil or else I try and dump it up side down to save the oil.. Here in AK it is expensive just to dump or burn..... etc..

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    • Karla

      Michael, I have recently read several additional FAQ's on Chainsaw oilers, and If you are truely getting alot of leaking oil, Then I would also recommend going to an Authorized service center. It also sounds like from FAQ's read that Husqvarna has changed some of the oiler components, and you may need one of these new parts. Again, I hope this helps.

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    • Dave Woodyard

      I just purchased a 445. Have used it a couple hours. So far, I have not noticec any oi leaking on mine.

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    • Eric Zeno

      I have a 455 rancher that was  less than a year old and leaks bar oil.   I just got it back from a so called service center.  Place called DOBOSH here in Pgh.  These idiots had my saw for a month.   It is still leaking bar oil.   It has made a mess out of the trunk of my car, my concrete walks, and a few other things.  They didn't do anything.   Becasue they didn't do anything they tell me, its not warrantied.  I get it home run it for less than one minute and its dripping bar oil on the ground as its running.  Screw this saw,  Its a piece of junk.  Not only that the service center is a BIG RIP OFF,  and a waste of time.  Running a saw that has leaked out all the bar oil the night before has burn up the chain.  The trunk mat in my car is $105. I have to rent a pressure wash to clean the concrete.  Now pay $43 to get my saw back.

       

      How do you get in touch with a consumer support repesentative anyway. 

       

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    • Karla

      Eric,

      I believe the first response was from Peter B. who is a Husqvarna Representative, the one with the orange Hat.

      If you see his underlined name (Peter B.), double click on his name and it will bring you to a page thats says "Send Peter a message".

      Sorry to hear you are having so much trouble, but Thanks for the heads up. I will keep that in mind If I need to bring one of my chainsaws in for service.

      I hope this helps!

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    • Eric Zeno

      Karla,

          Thanks for your reply.  Yesterday I Emailed  Peter B.  No response, so far.  I also have repeatedly call the 800 customer support line

      and have been hung up on with the automatic phone system.   These things are making very bold statement.   One more thing.

      DOBOSH idiots claim if I would have purchased the saw from them they would fix it, but becasue I purchase it from out of state they

      will not fix it for just  the $42 dollars I spent with them.  THey want me to take it back and spend more money first!  THEY CAN GO TO....

                                                                                                                           

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      • Anthony ATTARD

        What is the 800 No. for Husqvarna Tech. support??

         

        aca

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    • Larry Andrews

      I was told by the dealer the oil tank is sealed, except for a one-way air valve.  Their explanation is when the air in the oil tank expands due to heat or altitude change it pushes oil out.  My old Homelite 150 never did this, and it seems pretty lame.  Laying it on its side with oil cap open, or keeping the tank completel full might work, but none are convenient.  Is the answer from the dealer true?

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      • Llewellyn cobb

        Tks for this info..  Youmay have saved my Homelite that I used since 1972.. I have 2 Sthils with 18 inch bar and 25 inch.. This info I think would be good for all saws...  tkanks.....

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    • Karla

      Larry,

      Yes. I believe the Dealer is correct, If the Ambient temperature got warm enough ( + 90 - 100 degrees F.) and above,   where the chain saw is stored, then yes you will pressurize the oil tank, the oil will expand and will push the oil out of the tank.

      I recently had a an old Homelite 330, which was stored in an outdoor utility shed, I always remember to open the louvered window in the spring and close it in the winter. This year I forgot to open the vented window, and  we recently had some high temperature 90 degree plus days, I happened to go into my shed which was very hot, and found my chainsaw had pushed all the oil out of the tank, fortunately it was in a chainsaw case, so I just had to empty the oil out of the case. So Yes the Dealer is correct.

      Also some more food for thought, The old chainsaws did not have oil pumps, they actually pressurized the oil tanks by using the engines pulse line to pressurize the oil tank, and push the oil out onto the bar.

      In - addition the vent on the oil tanks are a one way check valve vent which allows air into the tank, so that also makes sense that the tank could become pressurized.

      I hope this helps, and this may be part of the solution to keep our chainsaws in cooler places, Maybe our fuel and gas cans too!

       

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    • Karla

      Anthony.

      I am Not a Husqvarna Representative, but the 800 number you are looking for is at the bottom of the Husqvarna Home page.

      call 1-800-487-5951

      I hope this helps.

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    • paul cameron

      Same problem hear, I ignored the posts of 455 oil leak problems, purchased anyway< dummy me> now I have oil even after cleaning all over garage! I purchased it to replace my 20 inch homelite from the 70,s that leaked oil everywhere, some automatic oiler, lubes garage floor well! I am going to pursue  with a dealer or return it !

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    • Jeff LaSo

      I have this problem also. Sometimes is more, sometimes its less. Sad thing is that I bought a Husqy because my dad has had one for 20 years and no problems, no leaks. I have had mine 2 weeks and so far the thing is less than impressive. Quality has gone down hill.

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    • Jared Cuneo

      I realize that this is a very old thread, but I just have to vent and give this guy some empathy.

       

      Everything this company does is a freaking disaster. What kind of professional equipment company has no email contact? Its obvious that the phone 'support' consists of rude idiots who essentially are paid to get you to the point where you just give up trying to get your problem resolved. I suppose that its cheaper to get rid of people than to actually help them. Fantastic way to run a company.

      I had the same experience. They let anyone that can fog a mirror become a dealer, dont require them to have training or quality control, or even the right tools! I brought a brand new 550xp saw to repair a factory defective oiler and they had no scan tool. Now, when I went to open the season and inspect the saw, I just noticed that they broke off a cooling fin and did not tell me. I have no hope whatsoever of getting this fixed,  but more importantly, the saw fouls plugs! Its brand new! They told me to run 9 tanks of gas though it.....LOL

       

      At the same time, I bought a computerized Stihl. It starts on the first pull everytime and plug looks perfect after a season of extremely heavy use. Also, they have an email address! Imagine that.

       

      I go back to, what company uses their customers to fix other customers products. All sorts of crappy advise exist on this forum....its really insane.

       

      So, we are in it dude, sitting here with defective, expensive saws (mine leaks oil after running for like 2 days too, dont feel bad) like a bunch of suckers.

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    • Gerry Sloat

      I bought a new 450 Rancher at Lowe's,  it leaked oil all over the storage shelf, and then in my car (fortunately on an old rug there for just that purpose) while I hauled it to the recommended (by Husq. customer service!!!!!) warranty repair shop. Shop owner refused to touch it since I bought it at Lowe's.  Took it back to Lowe'; they very graciously took it back and gave me a new one. I put in the bar oil, gassed it up, and set it on the shelf-  never used it yet and it has leaked oil all over the shelves.  Suppose I can get Lowe's to take this one back?  Guess I will find out next week.

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    • Kevin Hall

      I have this same issue with my 460 Rancher chainsaw.  I purchased it in September 2009, and it has had light use and is in great shape.  It's a good little machine for the most part.  However.....it leaked chain oil from day one.  The dealer, who does a great job with service and support, said this was normal.  I finally got tired of it and started researching the issue on the internet.  It constantly drips oil, not just after use.  The most plausible answer I have seen has to do with the air valve in the oil chamber, but I'm just guessing.

      It seems the issue is quite common and Husqvarna has not pursued any kind of fix.  As a matter of fact, I just got off the phone with a company rep - they told me this was a good thing, it's much better that oil leaked than not feeding enough oil to the chain while running. This is contrary to the answer recently posted here by Peter.

      But my perspective is this......it may be good in that Husqvarna does not have any failures to their saws.  Fine for them.  But what about us.....the customers?  My garage floor is covered with chain oil stains.  They are all over my workbench (I cover it now before working on the saw).  They are all over my truck.  They are in the trunk of my wife's car, and she is royally ticked off at me.  The storage box has oil all over it, inside and out, and everything sticks to it. Everything in the box is covered with oil.  Ever try to sharpen a chain with an oiled file?  It doesn't work very well.  

      So my request to Husqvarna is this - please start thinking about your customers, and clearly demonstrate that you are.  Redefine what you consider to be "Normal".  "Normal" for you is not my "Normal".  Do a recall on the chain oiler on  these saws.  Come up with a solution.  Put it out there to your customers.

      Thank you for considering my suggestion.  In the event that I do not see some action by Husqvarna, I regret to say that I will be selling my saw.  And the replacement will not be Husqvarna, it will be Stihl or some other competitor.

       

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      • Kevin Hall

        Further research (which I don't feel I should need to do, given the prices on these saws) uncovered this youtube video that discusses the problem and a potential solution.  Has anyone tried this?

        https://youtu.be/nnMriFIwGyw

        Thanks

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