Husky Leaking Bar Oil

[Tim in New York]

Guy at work gave me a 455 because it leaks bar oil.  It seems to run fine, so I am wondering if I can sharpen the chain and use it a bit as is?  When these saws leak like that, does any oil get to the bar and chain?  I don't want to spend the money to fix it unless I know how it cuts.  All my other saws are Stihls.

Thanks,
Tim

[Tacotodd]

Personal experience here: I've never had one leak that DDN'T get oil to the bar/chain. Others MMV.

[Old Greenhorn]

You can pull the side plate off and make sure the oil holes are clear. Some guys never clean their saw or bars. You will likely see oil in the weep area passage on the saw head and you should be fine. Sure, clean it, run it, and fix it if you decide.
 Wonder where you are in 'upstate'?

[rusticretreater]

The oiling system for the bar should still be functioning if all passageways are clear.  I would expect that it still cuts fine.  

The leaking of the oil comes from a bad seal in the body of the saw.  If you google "husqvarna saw leaking oil", you will get several videos on how to fix the saw.

[DHansen]

Does the leaking get worse when the saw is running?  How fast is it leaking?

[Spike60]

If the suggestions so far don't cure the problem, the leak is likely a bad seal between the oil pick up tube and the case. It's a cheap part, but you have to pull the clutch and everything to get at it. Clean everything thoroughly and I usually use some threebond to seal the new one so it never happens again.

These Ranchers are real easy to work on if you're familiar with them, buf some foul language directed at the guy who designed it will be thereputic for a first timer. Gotta pull the handle assembly to get at the pick up tube. First, pull the throttle link by flipping the blue keeper out of the way and then lift it out. Then remove each of the 3 mount screws and the movement limiter on the bottom. The whole handle assembly then rotates out and you're home free.

[thecfarm]

Store it on it's side.  ;)   

[Tim in New York]

Thanks for all the responses.  I have not run the saw yet with oil it it, as I can see from the carrier that came with it that it would make a mess.  Will fill it up and give it a try once I start cutting up the logs I skidded to the back yard.  Just now got the snow and ice melted off the yard, and now have another storm coming.

I did look at the you-tube videos on doing the repair and decided I would not try to tear it down and fix myself, but will take the local dealer.

Tim

[Gearbox]

i thought all them orange saws leaked . my 3 huskeys leak but it keeps my pickup bed from rusting 

[moodnacreek]

Husky's keep the termites out of the sawmill floor.

[Old Greenhorn]

None of my husky's leak a drop when they shouldn't. My other saws leak like sieves.

[Real1shepherd]

I guess it depends on what model(s) you have. The 2100/2101 will puke oil on your floors...new. The longer they sit, the more they puke. And when they sit in really cold temps they puke more. I just try not to keep much oil in the tanks for storage.

As long as they deliver the oil in the cuts, I give them clemency.

My old Jonsereds leak a little too, but not as bad.

Kevin

[ftejr]

All mine leak even my new 562xp. 
272xp Leaks 
2/346xp both leak.
But the saw I use the least Echo cs-400 dry as a bone.
Husky must have a deal with the oil company's.

[sablatnic]

Make sure the muffler is on tight. If loose it can burn hole in the oil tank, and then it will start leaking a LOT!

[John Mc]

Store it on it's side.  ;)  

Makes no difference on my leaking saws. If there is enough oil in them, they will leak.

[Twowithone]

I was told way back all chainsaws leak and 1 guy said when you shut your saw down that oil tank is still under pressure he said he unscrews his oil cap very slowly to release the pressure and no leaks dont know never tried it.

[beenthere]

Also, if bringing a saw inside to warmer temps, the oil warms and expands. That bit of pressure will cause the oil to leak out a bit, making a mess. 

Cracking the cap (as Twowithone mentions) to release that pressure on the oil tank and the fuel tank will help. No oil leaks when I do that. 

[Patrick NC]

I have 3 huskys and if they aren't leaking bar oil it's because there isn't any in it! 🤣

[sawguy21]

That was dads International pick up, he didn't keep it long.

[Spike60]

We classify this 2 ways. A leaking saw means most of the oil will run out of the saw and cause a huge mess. A saw that is weeping a small amount of oil is pretty common and can usually be lived with.

And.... my favorite small saw is now weeping oil! Have to blame myself and I should know better. Saw is a Jonsered 2150 that I upgraded with a 2153/346 cylinder. (the larger 44.3mm kit) Used it a few weeks back to cut my way out of the driveway after the ice storm came through here. Stuck it in back of the Jeep and stupidly left it there for a month. Big temperature swings from below aero to however warm it got in there from the sun or running the heat. And turning on the heat is a rapid change in temp.

The problem with leaks is that they don't go away. The kitchen faucet, the water pump in your truck, your roof or a chainsaw, a leak is usually there to stay until properly fixed. On saws, once that seal between the saw tank and oil line is breeched, it's not going to stop completely until you take it apart, clean it out and re-seal it with a new oil line.   

Most saws will be fine if stored with no more than a half tank of oil. Storing with a full tank will almost guarantee that you're going to have a leaker. In those cases that means that the oil tank vent is covered and now unvented. Just a matter of time till it's weeping oil.