Warranty Question
So I've got this 2015-33 550XP that I got from a (non-local, forum sponsor) dealer (new) a couple months ago (August). When it's 85+ degrees F, it basically won't hot or warm restart. I can get it to fire, and it'll idle, but it takes lots of starts and lots of fiddling with the throttle to get it to rev. After it gets revved up and I get it in some wood, it'll clean up and act right. Using the purge bulb doesn't seem to help. Once it's acting right, it revs fine, etc.. Below 80F, there really aren't any problems with warm/hot restarts.
Also, I have problems being able to hit the throttle on like "first start of the day" kind of starts. It idles, but I can't get it to rev at all, and it'll die 5-6x, when I hit the throttle (even if I ease into it). Finally, it'll rev and run fine. Again, purge bulb doesn't seem to do much. It also very likely may have to do with the high side semi-vapor-locking the fuel out of it, from it being hot the last time I shut it down.
I've only run the Husky 50:1 XP Fuel pre-mix through it, so far, for warranty reasons. I've used about 2.5 quarts.
Is this a warranty deal, or is this just kind of "how they are?" I know there were some updates (2 rounds of them, looks like) since the date of this saws's mfg, and I knew about the updates at the time, but I guess I sort of under-estimated the amount of time that saws are both on the ocean, and sit on the shelf, and figured I'd be getting one with all the updates.
Answer
Michael,
First, I would like to commend you on doing an excellent job of describing your symptoms, unfortunately this will be difficult to troubleshoot, It could actually be a number of different things. since I assume you purchased your chainsaw in August, 2016 ? and I hope have a sales receipt, then I would definitely recommend going to a "good" Husqvarna Dealer they will be the only ones that can determine if its a Warranty repair. (Note: Make sure the Dealer is aware its an Autotune, and that he has the diagnostic tool and software for testing your carburetor. If the Dealer does Not know anything about Autotune or does not have the diagnostic tools, go to another Husqvarna Dealer that does).
I have worked on both the Model 545 and Model 550 xp, and Yes they both flood very easily and can vapor lock. How many times are you pulling on the saw to get it started when its hot ? More than once or twice and your probably getting too much fuel, and hence the saw will idle but won't run till you burn out the excess fuel. Try the following on a hot chainsaw, do everything the manual says for starting a hot saw, but then also hold the trigger all the way down for wide open throttle, while pulling the starter cord a couple of times, it should start and won't flood the engine. The engine actually needs more air, and thats why the throttle needs to be open.
Some other things that you can check: On the left side of the carburetor, after you remove the top cover and air filter, you will see two small 1/4" white plastic magnets. You can use a small screwdriver to find the magnets easily by having the screwdriver magnetically stick to them, make sure these magnets are thoroughly clean, and No tiny whiskers of metal are on these little magnets. Just blowing them off with compressed air, may not be enough since the tiny metal particles will remain stuck to the magnets and interfere with the magnet sensors. These magnets are part of the Autotune throttle control, If you pull on the throttle control lever, you can see these magnets move, but again these magnets have to be pristine clean.
A second item that I have had difficulty with is the De-compression valve. Check that after a couple good pulls that the de-compression valve (Note: Next to spark plug is fully closed), You should be able to push in on the de-compression valve, and then manually pull up on the decompression to make sure it closes, it should move open and closed very easily and not feel like its stuck in either position. You can try pulling up on the decompression valve making sure its closed, and then when you start the chainsaw Do Not Use the decompression valve, and see If it starts easier, but it will have more compression to pull with the valve closed. In which case you may need a new de-compression valve, or you can opt. to just get a decompression valve plug, remove it and plug it with the correct Husqvarna part.
I hope this helps, and please provide me any updates here. I will be working on another Model 545 in a week or so, and am definitely curious what you discover.
Karla
PS. I am Not a Husqvarna Representative or Repair Service, just an experimental chainsaw person
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Michael,
Thanks for the update, and glad you got some support from Husqvarna. I suspect its probably the carburetor but I am still curious what the dealer will find as a solution, ie. Maybe just re-program the carburetor ? Or replace the carburetor ? So when you get it back and running, please let me know what they discovered, If they will tell you !
I agree with you about the larger engines needing the de-compression, I rebuilt the engine on a Stihl 038 Magnum, 72 cc engine unfortunately the Original OEM Cylinder kit had No de-compression valve or place for one, and what a bear to pull start, but I usually can get it running in two pulls after my rebuild and its a beast of a chainsaw but a very heavy chainsaw too, but great for logging. Lol.
I also completely rebuilt a model 550, and reprogrammed the carburetor, and Luv the chainsaw. I have a small 16" bar on it, and it really cuts like crazy and is light too, my favorite for falling a tree and limbing.
Anyhow good luck with your chainsaw, but please still keep me in the loop, since I have several of these autotune 545/ 550's , I am curious what they discover.
Karla
PS. I am Not a Husqvarna Representative or Repair Service, just an experimental chainsaw person
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