Is your Husqvarna chainsaw not starting? I know the pain well. It was a crisp Saturday morning. I had my safety gear on. My wood pile was ready. I put my Husqvarna 450 Rancher on the ground. I primed the bulb. I set the choke. I pulled the cord. Silence followed.
I pulled again. Still nothing. By the tenth pull, I was hot. I was also very angry at the machine. If you are reading this, you are stuck too. Your saw won’t start. You are losing time. Don’t panic.
I have been there. I fixed it. It usually comes down to three things. You need air. You need fuel. You need spark. Here is how I fix my saw when it acts up. It is often a simple fix.
Is It Flooded? (The Top Reason)
I will be honest. The first time my 450 Rancher failed, it was my fault.
Husqvarna saws have a trick to start them. If you miss a step, you will flood the engine.
Here is what happens. You pull the cord with the blue choke lever up. The engine pops once. It sounds like a cough. If you miss that sound, you might keep pulling.
This pumps too much gas into the engine. The plug gets wet. It won’t fire.
How I check for this:
- Smell It: I lean close to the muffler. Do I smell raw gas? If yes, it is flooded.
- Check the Plug: I pull the spark plug out. Is it wet? That is a bad sign.
The Fix:
I turn the choke OFF. I push the lever down. I hold the throttle trigger wide open. I put my boot on the handle. Then, I pull the cord fast. It will smoke a lot. But it should run.
Check Your Gas
If the saw is not flooded, I check the tank.
I once let my saw sit for three months. That was a mistake.
Gas today has ethanol in it. This attracts water. It goes bad fast. It can spoil in just 30 days. It turns into a sticky goo. This clogs the tiny holes in the carb.
My Rules:
- Is the gas older than 60 days? Dump it out.
- Buy fresh gas. Use 91+ octane.
- Use good oil. The ratio for the 450 Rancher is 50:1. That is 2.6 oz of oil for 1 gallon of gas.
Check Air and Spark
If I have fresh gas, but it is dead, I grab my tool.
1. The Spark Plug
I take the top cover off. On the 450 Rancher, it has three clips. It is easy.
I take out the plug. I look at the tip.
- Black? It is dirty.
- White? It is too hot.
- Tan? This is perfect.
I check the gap. For the 450 Rancher, the gap must be 0.02 inches. If the tip looks worn, I buy a new one. I use an NGK BPMR7A. It is cheap and works well.
2. The Air Filter
I also look at the air filter. It is the yellow mesh part. Is it full of sawdust? If so, the engine can’t breathe. I take it off. I wash it with warm soap and water. I let it dry. A clean saw runs best.
Husqvarna 450 Rancher Specs
I keep this table in my shop. It helps me remember the right parts.
| Part | Spec / Setting | My Tip |
| Spark Plug | NGK BPMR7A | Set gap to 0.02 in. |
| Fuel Mix | 50:1 Ratio | Use fresh gas only. |
| Idle Speed | 2700 RPM | Chain must not spin. |
| Max Speed | 9000 RPM | For fast cutting. |
| Air Filter | Nylon Mesh | Wash with soap. |
When to Call a Pro
Sometimes, simple fixes don’t work.
If you have fresh gas and a new plug, check the fuel lines. I use a light to look in the tank. Do the lines look cracked? Are they mushy? If yes, they suck air. You must change them.
Also, pull the cord. Does it feel loose? If there is no resistance, you may have internal damage. That is a big job. I take it to the shop for that.
Final Words
Most of the time, my saw works fine. When my Husqvarna chainsaw is not starting, it is usually bad gas. Or, I missed the “pop” sound.
So, drain that old gas. Check your plug. Listen for the pop. You will be back to work in no time.
FAQs – Husqvarna Chainsaw Not Starting
Why is my Husqvarna chainsaw not starting?
It is often bad gas. Old fuel gums up the carb. Check the spark plug too. If it is wet, the engine is flooded. Use fresh gas and a clean plug to get it running again.
How do I unflood my Husqvarna chainsaw?
Turn the choke lever off. Hold the throttle wide open. Pull the starter cord fast. It will smoke a lot, but it will start. This clears the wet gas from the engine cylinder.
What is the fuel mix for a Husqvarna 450?
Use a 50:1 mix. That is 2.6 ounces of oil for one gallon of gas. Always use fresh gas. Old gas goes bad in a month. Good oil helps your Husqvarna saw run smooth and cool.
Which spark plug does a Husqvarna 450 use?
Use an NGK BPMR7A plug. Set the gap to 0.02 inches. A clean plug helps the spark. If the tip is black or worn, buy a new one. It is a cheap fix that helps it start fast.
Why does my chainsaw start and then die?
The fuel lines may be cracked. Air gets in and stops the flow. Check the fuel filter in the tank too. If it is dirty, the saw starves for gas. Clean filters keep it running.