It happened last weekend. I was deep in the backyard, cutting up a fallen oak tree. My day was going great.
Then, I smelled something burning.
It wasn’t the engine exhaust. It was the smell of hot metal. I stopped the saw and looked down. The chain was smoking, and the guide bar was hot to the touch.
I checked the oil tank. It was completely full.
If your Husqvarna 450 is not oiling the chain, don’t panic. I learned this is a very common problem. It is usually easy to fix.
Here is how I troubleshooted my saw and got back to work.
Check the Easy Stuff First
I didn’t want to take the saw apart right away. I started with the simplest causes.
Sawdust is the biggest enemy of your chainsaw. It gets packed into tight spaces and blocks the flow of oil.
I took the bar and chain off the saw. I looked at the oil inlet hole on the side of the bar.
Sure enough, it was packed with wood chips.
I used a small piece of wire to pick it out. I also used a scraping tool to clean the long groove of the bar.
My Rule of Thumb: If you can’t see the bottom of the bar groove, oil can’t flow through it.
I put it back together and ran the engine. Still no oil. The problem was deeper inside.
The Worm Gear
I did some research online. I found out that the Husqvarna 450 has a “weak point” by design.
It uses a plastic worm gear to spin the oil pump. This gear sits behind the clutch drum.
Husqvarna makes this gear out of plastic for a reason. If the pump jams, the cheap plastic gear strips. This saves the expensive engine parts.
On my saw, the gear was stripped smooth. The engine was spinning, but the pump was not moving.
Troubleshooting Data Table
I created this quick table to help you find your problem fast. Match your symptoms to the cause.
| Symptom | Probable Cause | Fix Difficulty | Cost |
| Oil leaks from body, but chain is dry | Clogged bar oil hole | Very Easy | Free |
| No oil flow, tank is full | Stripped Worm Gear | Medium | $10 – $15 |
| No oil flow, gear looks perfect | Failed Oil Pump | Hard | $45 – $60 |
| Chain runs dry only during long cuts | Wrong oil type (Too thin) | Easy | $10 |
How I Replaced the Gear
Changing this gear looks scary, but it took me less than 20 minutes.
You have to remove the clutch. This is the metal drum on the side of the saw.
The Big Secret: The clutch has left-hand threads.
Most screws turn left to loosen. The clutch is the opposite. You must turn it clockwise (to the right) to take it off.
If you turn it the normal way, you will tighten it until it breaks.
I used a piston stop tool to keep the engine from turning. Then, I spun the clutch off to the right.
The old white plastic gear slid right off. I put the new one on and added a little grease.
Back to Cutting Wood
I put everything back together and filled the oil tank.
I started the saw and held the tip of the bar over a clean stump. I revved the engine for ten seconds.
A fine line of oil sprayed onto the wood. Success!
The saw cut faster and ran cooler. I finished the rest of that oak tree in an hour.
If your 450 is dry, check that plastic gear first. It is almost always the problem.
FAQs – Husqvarna 450 Is Not Oiling the Chain
Why is my Husqvarna 450 not oiling the chain?
The top cause is a stripped plastic worm gear. It breaks to save the engine. Also, check the bar hole for sawdust clogs. It is a quick, cheap, and easy fix.
How do I unclog my chainsaw oiler hole?
Take the bar off the saw first. Use a wire to clean the small oil hole. Scrape out the long groove too. This clears the path so oil can flow to the chain.
Can I run my chainsaw if it is not oiling?
No, do not run it dry. The chain will get hot and ruin the bar fast. It might even snap and hurt you. Always fill the oil tank before you start a new job.
How do I check if my oil pump is working?
Point the bar tip at a stump. Rev the saw for ten seconds. Look for a line of oil spray on the wood. If you see oil, your Husqvarna pump is working well.
What kind of bar oil should I use?
Use real bar and chain oil. Use a thin grade in the cold winter. Use a thick grade in the hot summer. This keeps your saw chain slick, cool, and safe to use.