Husqvarna chainsaws are among the most popular chainsaws for gardening and logging. However, they may flood if you over-crank them, causing starting problems for the engine. Fortunately, it’s easy to fix a flooded Husqvarna chainsaw once you notice the problem.
If your Husqvarna chainsaw keeps flooding, switch off the throttle and choke to allow the fuel to dry up. Keep the throttle open and pull it until the chainsaw starts, but ensure that the choke is switched off. If the spark plug hole is flooded, open the spark plugs to release the excess fuel.
This article will discuss the correct methods for fixing a flooded Husqvarna chainsaw. I’ll also discuss the reasons why your chainsaw may be flooding and how to prevent it from flooding in the future.
2 Ways To Fix a Husqvarna Chainsaw That Keeps Flooding
When your Husqvarna chainsaw keeps flooding, you can try different fixes based on the cause of the problem. If fuel has leaked into the oil, you can try starting the chainsaw to allow the engine to burn away the excess fuel.
If the problem is with the spark plugs, you’ll have to drain the fuel from these plugs before starting the chainsaw.
Here are two methods to fix a Husqvarna chainsaw that keeps flooding:
Allow the Chainsaw to Unflood Itself
It’s pretty common for excess fuel to enter the combustion chamber, even if your chainsaw doesn’t start. If this fuel doesn’t flood the spark plugs and your chainsaw isn’t hydro-locked, it will unflood itself.
Follow the instructions below:
- In most cases, you shouldn’t have to pull the throttle more than 3-4 times to start the chainsaw. Once you realize that the chainsaw is flooded, turn the choke off to prevent more fuel from leaking into the combustion chamber.
- Keep the throttle open to allow oxygen into the combustion chamber, and try to start the chainsaw while the choke is off.
- If you hear the chainsaw sputter when it starts, it means that the excess fuel is being pushed out of the combustion chamber.
This is the easiest way to recalibrate a flooded chainsaw, but it won’t always work, especially if the spark plugs are flooded.
Clear the Spark Plug Holes
In many cases, the spark plug holes may get flooded with gas as you pull the throttle. In such situations, you’ll have to remove the spark plug and drain the gas from the socket.
Follow the steps below to clear the spark plug holes:
- Before removing the spark plug, make sure that the chainsaw switch is off.
- Remove the air filter and spark plug from the socket to let the gas out.
- Wait at least 30-40 minutes for the spark plug to dry, or remove it and dry it with a cloth.
- The spark plug should start working when it dries up (unless water has flooded the chainsaw’s combustion chamber).
Once the spark plug chamber is dry, put the plug back into place and try starting the chainsaw.
Why Your Husqvarna Chainsaw Keeps Flooding
It’s often natural for a Husqvarna chainsaw to flood occasionally, but you’ll have to check for problems if it floods regularly.
If your Husqvarna chainsaw keeps flooding, it could be due to a carburetor issue, improper fuel mixture, or spark plug problems. Sometimes, leaving the choke on for more than 3-4 pulls will cause the chainsaw to flood.
Let’s look at these causes in detail:
Your Chainsaw Has Carburetor Problems
Having the proper carburetor settings is essential to prevent your chainsaw from flooding. The idle speed should be the same or lower than the starting speed, and the engine’s power output should be correct.
You can easily adjust the carburetor on a Husqvarna chainsaw with the carburetor screws. If you aren’t sure how it’s done, check the chainsaw’s guide or watch this YouTube video:
You’re Using the Wrong Fuel Mixture
Most Husqvarna chainsaws will require a fuel mixture of petrol and oil to function properly. If your chainsaw doesn’t start (but isn’t flooded), you may be using too much gas in the fuel mix. This is a common error, but it will only rarely prevent your chainsaw from starting.
However, if you use too much oil, there’s a greater risk of fuel leaking into the spark plug and combustion chamber. While your chainsaw will start when it’s partially flooded, it will eventually stop working when the combustion chamber is completely flooded.
Always follow the chainsaw’s fuel guidelines to avoid damaging your chainsaw. The official Husqvarna guidelines require you to use unleaded fuel (source).
You Aren’t Starting the Chainsaw Properly
Ideally, your chainsaw should start in no more than 3 pulls on the throttle. If you leave the choke on full setting for more than 3-4 pulls, it will release excess fuel into the combustion chamber and cause your chainsaw to flood.
This is more of a problem in colder weather or if the chainsaw is exposed to freezing temperatures (source). To avoid flooding the chainsaw, never pull the throttle more than 3 times without resetting the choke.
The Spark Plugs Are Damaged
If you’ve tried everything and your chainsaw still doesn’t start, you’ll have to check the spark plugs. If the spark plugs are wet, rusted, or damaged, the chainsaw won’t start, regardless of how many times you pull the throttle.
The spark plugs may be wet due to fuel or oil from the chainsaw. However, they may also get rusted or damaged if exposed to water. In such cases, you can clean the spark plugs and remove the rust.
However, the best long-term solution is to replace the spark plugs and keep the chainsaw away from water to prevent this from happening in the future.
If you’re having trouble with a Husqvarna chainsaw choke that won’t stay up, check out my guide to learn more about the reasons.
Final Thoughts
Husqvarna chainsaws don’t usually cause many problems, but they may flood sometimes. While this is normal, there’s certainly a problem if your chainsaw starts flooding regularly. In most cases, opening the throttle and starting it with the choke off will cause the chainsaw to unflood itself.
If the spark plug chamber is flooded, you’ll have to remove the spark plugs and dry them thoroughly before restarting the chainsaw. If your chainsaw keeps flooding, you may be using the wrong fuel mixture, or the carburetor settings may be incorrect.