How to Start a Husqvarna 450: My Honest Guide

I remember the day I almost sold my Husqvarna 450.

It was a cold Tuesday. I had a pile of oak logs waiting in the yard. I had my safety gear on. I had fresh fuel. I felt ready to work. I put the saw on the ground. I pulled the cord. Nothing happened. I pulled it again. Still nothing.

Ten minutes later, I was sweating. My shoulder hurt. The saw sat there in the dirt, silent. I felt like a fool. I know how to use tools. I have run saws for years. But this orange machine would not start.

I thought it was broken. I almost packed it up to return it. But it wasn’t broken. I was just doing it wrong. The Husqvarna 450 is a great saw. It cuts fast. It is light. But it has a trick. It has a specific starting ritual. If you miss one tiny step, it will not run. I learned the secret the hard way. Now, my saw starts on the first or second pull every time.

Here is what I learned. This is how you can skip the frustration and get to work.

The Thing That Confused Me: The Blue Lever

Most old chainsaws are simple. They have a switch for “on” and “off.” They have a separate lever for the choke.

The Husqvarna 450 is different. It tries to be smart.

It has one blue lever on the left side. This lever does three jobs at once:

1. It stops the engine.
2. It chokes the air (for cold starts).
3. It adds a little gas (fast idle).

This is where I messed up. I treated it like a normal switch. You cannot do that. You have to be precise.

If you pull the lever too much, you flood the engine. If you don’t pull it enough, it won’t fire. You have to find the sweet spot.

How to Do a Cold Start (First Time Today)

Use this method if the saw has been sitting for a while. If the engine is cold to the touch, follow these steps.

Step 1: The Safety Check

Put the saw on flat ground. Clear the sticks and leaves away. Push the front hand guard forward. This locks the chain brake. You do not want the chain to spin when the motor starts.

Step 2: Prime the Fuel

Find the soft, clear bulb on the side. This is the purge bulb. Press it 6 times. You want to see fuel inside the bulb. It does not need to be totally full. You just need to see some gas in there. This pushes air out of the lines.

Step 3: The Blue Lever (Part 1)

Pull the blue lever UP and OUT. Pull it until it stops. It should feel stiff. This closes the choke. It tells the engine, “I am cold. give me lots of gas.”

Step 4: The Rope (The Most Important Part)

Put your right foot through the back handle. Hold the top bar with your left hand. Grab the starter rope handle with your right hand. Pull the rope. Pull it hard and fast.

Listen closely. Usually, on the second or third pull, the engine will make a sound.

It goes “POP.” It sounds like a cough. It tries to start, but then it dies.

STOP PULLING.

This is the secret. This is where I failed on that first day. When you hear that “pop,” the engine is ready. If you keep pulling with the lever out, you will flood it. You will fill the engine with too much gas. Then it will never start.

Step 5: The Blue Lever (Part 2)

Once you hear the pop, push the blue lever DOWN. But be careful. Do not push it all the way in. Just push it down until it clicks. It should stay sticking out a little bit. This opens the choke but keeps the gas high.

Step 6: The Real Start

Now, pull the rope again. It should start right away. It will sound loud. The chain might try to move, but the brake will stop it.

Step 7: Tap the Trigger

The engine is racing now. It is in “fast idle.” Quickly tap the throttle trigger with your finger. Just a quick squeeze. The engine will slow down. It will settle into a nice, steady idle. Now you are ready to cut.

How to Do a Warm Start

Let’s say you cut wood for twenty minutes. You turn the saw off to take a break or add oil. Now the engine is hot. If you try the cold start method, you will flood it. The engine does not need the choke. But it does need a little help.

Here is the trick I use.

1. Pull the Blue Lever OUT. Why? This sets the throttle to “start” mode.

2. Push the Blue Lever DOWN. Do this right away. Why? This turns off the choke. You do not want the choke on a hot saw.

3. Pull the Rope. It usually starts on the first pull.

Think of it like a code. Out, then Down. It tells the saw, “Give me gas, but do not close the air.”

What to Do If It Won’t Start (Flooding)

Remember my first day? I pulled that rope fifty times. My arm hurt. The saw smelled like raw gas. I had flooded the engine. This means the spark plug was wet. The spark could not fire.

If you smell strong gas, you probably flooded it.

Here is how I fix it:

1. Stop Choking It. Push the blue lever down. Make sure it is in the “Run” position.
2. Unlock the Brake. Pull the front guard back.
3. Full Throttle. This is awkward, but it works.Put your foot in the handle.Use your left hand to hold the trigger wide open. Squeeze it all the way.This opens the air valve. It lets air in to dry the plug.
4. Pull Hard. With the trigger held wide open, pull the rope.Pull it fast.It might take 10 pulls. It might take 20.The saw will sound rough. It will sputter.Suddenly, it will roar to life. A big cloud of white smoke will come out. That is normal. It is just burning off the extra gas.
5. Let it Run. Let it idle for a minute. The smoke will clear up.

My “Cheat Sheet” for the Husqvarna 450

I used to forget these steps. I actually wrote them on a piece of tape and stuck it to my saw case. Here is a simple chart to help you.

Other Reasons It Might Not Start

Sometimes, you do everything right. You follow the steps. You listen for the pop. But the saw still sits there. Before you get mad, check these three things.

1. Bad Gas

Did the gas sit in the can all winter? Gas goes bad fast. It turns into a gummy varnish. It clogs the tiny holes in the engine. I always use fresh gas. I buy high-octane fuel. I mix it with good oil. If your gas is more than two months old, dump it out. Buy fresh gas. It makes a huge difference.

2. The Spark Plug

I check my plug once a season. It lives under the top orange cover. You need a wrench to take it out. Look at the tip. Is it black and oily? Is it covered in crust? If it looks dirty, replace it. A new plug costs five dollars. It is cheap insurance. The Husqvarna 450 usually uses an NGK BPMR7A plug. Check your manual to be sure.

3. The Air Filter

Wood dust gets everywhere. It is fine like flour. If the air filter is clogged, the saw cannot breathe. It will choke. Pop the clips on the top cover. Look at the filter. If it is brown or packed with dust, clean it. I take mine off and wash it with warm soapy water. I let it dry overnight. A clean saw is a happy saw.

Why I Kept the Saw

I was so close to giving up on the Husqvarna 450. I thought it was too complicated. I missed my old, simple saw. But once I learned the rhythm, I fell in love with it. It cuts very fast. The “X-Torq” engine has a lot of power for its size. It saves me gas. I can cut more wood on a single tank.

It vibrates less. My hands don’t tingle after a long day of work. It is a tool that rewards patience. You cannot just rip the cord and hope for the best. You have to listen to it. You have to wait for that “pop.”

Now, when I go out to the wood pile, I don’t worry. I set the brake. I prime the bulb. I pull the lever. Pop. Click. Roar. It works every time.

If you are struggling with yours, take a breath. You didn’t buy a bad saw. You just need to learn the handshake. Follow these steps. Listen to the engine. You will get those logs cut in no time.

FAQs – How to Start a Husqvarna 450