Roofgunner
ArboristSite Member
I was hoping I could get some techical information regarding my Husqvarna 455 purchased in April 2009 in Missouri. I've rebuilt my 55, and maintained my 36 and Sthil 009l for years and I worked for Kawasaki/Suzuki back in the early 80's, so I know a little about saws and two strokes but I'm not up on the new EPA saws. The manual says the saw was adjusted at the factory to meet EPA/Federal standards. That doesn't mean it will run the way it should. Someone here must have the info. The dealer isn't customer oriented. He told me to throw away my 55 and buy the 455. I did but rebuilt the 55.
The 455 I have is not one with the catalytic coverter and the H/L adjustment screws do not have caps but the limiters can be pushed in with a small screw driver and then you can turn the screws in or out for adjustment, then release the limiters that will allow about 1/2 to 3/4 turn of the screws.
The saw ran fine but as it broke in it gradually began to lose power during a full throttle cut then if you held the throttle, it got to the point where it would quit and if you let up sometimes it would speed up again. In otherwords it didn't want to pull under load. Since the saw is under warranty I took the saw to my "dealer with an attitude" and he adjusted the high speed screw with out putting it under load, and without really letting the saw warm up. I watched him do it. And I will admit, the saw ran normally at full throttle. He lectured me on the fact that the gas these days is bad, etc. So it was almost like I was going to have to put up with a bogging saw and maybe one that would self destruct, then he could tell me to throw that one away and buy another new one. I took the saw home(60 mile round trip) and tried to cut a 20 inch tree down that was dead. Warmed the saw, started to cut the wedge out saw bogged out, stalled, got going again and then stalled. It started fine and idled like a Rolls but wouldn't cut. So I got the 55 out and cut up the tree.
At this point, I figured it's like everything else--fix the damn thing yourself. I was very sure my EPA certified chainsaw needed a richer mixture at the high speed jet. I removed the pull starter and in increments of 1/2 turns backed out the high speed screw and tested the saw. Immediately it become more responsive. I've taken the screw out almost two full turns to the point if I turn it in a little the engine speeds up a little, but I've left out to keep it rich. It is to the point that it seems that the carb is about as rich as it will get, the spark plug is the correct color and, when the saw is cold I can pull the trigger and the saw will not stall which means it's definately not lean. The saw really runs great now.
A couple of things I would like to know: When adjusting the high speed screw the saw doesn't want to act like my other three saws when it comes to the "dieseling" sound I get when the saws get rich. I've been told that due to the porting, etc. that these new saws are sort of like a 3 stroke rather than a two stroke. Would this be the reason why they may not act like the older saw engines? And two, has anyone else had this experience with any saw and primarily the 455? I called one of the sponsers of this site and was told that with the new saws, doing what I did with mine, was what was necessary to make them run correctly. I'd like to know if anyone has had a similar experience.:chainsawguy:
The 455 I have is not one with the catalytic coverter and the H/L adjustment screws do not have caps but the limiters can be pushed in with a small screw driver and then you can turn the screws in or out for adjustment, then release the limiters that will allow about 1/2 to 3/4 turn of the screws.
The saw ran fine but as it broke in it gradually began to lose power during a full throttle cut then if you held the throttle, it got to the point where it would quit and if you let up sometimes it would speed up again. In otherwords it didn't want to pull under load. Since the saw is under warranty I took the saw to my "dealer with an attitude" and he adjusted the high speed screw with out putting it under load, and without really letting the saw warm up. I watched him do it. And I will admit, the saw ran normally at full throttle. He lectured me on the fact that the gas these days is bad, etc. So it was almost like I was going to have to put up with a bogging saw and maybe one that would self destruct, then he could tell me to throw that one away and buy another new one. I took the saw home(60 mile round trip) and tried to cut a 20 inch tree down that was dead. Warmed the saw, started to cut the wedge out saw bogged out, stalled, got going again and then stalled. It started fine and idled like a Rolls but wouldn't cut. So I got the 55 out and cut up the tree.
At this point, I figured it's like everything else--fix the damn thing yourself. I was very sure my EPA certified chainsaw needed a richer mixture at the high speed jet. I removed the pull starter and in increments of 1/2 turns backed out the high speed screw and tested the saw. Immediately it become more responsive. I've taken the screw out almost two full turns to the point if I turn it in a little the engine speeds up a little, but I've left out to keep it rich. It is to the point that it seems that the carb is about as rich as it will get, the spark plug is the correct color and, when the saw is cold I can pull the trigger and the saw will not stall which means it's definately not lean. The saw really runs great now.
A couple of things I would like to know: When adjusting the high speed screw the saw doesn't want to act like my other three saws when it comes to the "dieseling" sound I get when the saws get rich. I've been told that due to the porting, etc. that these new saws are sort of like a 3 stroke rather than a two stroke. Would this be the reason why they may not act like the older saw engines? And two, has anyone else had this experience with any saw and primarily the 455? I called one of the sponsers of this site and was told that with the new saws, doing what I did with mine, was what was necessary to make them run correctly. I'd like to know if anyone has had a similar experience.:chainsawguy: