Brand new 550xp stumbles & dies after idling for few seconds between cuts. What the..??

[Icedogs28]

I just had a member pm me about my carb swap. He's got a new carb for his that's on the way. Hope he as better luck than I did.

I post here as his inquiry made me look at this thread to jog my memory. I was so bummed about my experience with Husqvarna that I blocked it from my brain and moved on. Thought I'd add a quick update. Though the 550xp was a touch lighter, a smidgen more nimble, and reved a tiny bit faster, my new 261 has started easily and run perfect every time I have ran it, whether it was at 3'k elev or 6'k and what ever temp, 95 degrees or freezing. Love the 261's filter too and what looks like a more spacious work area when it does require work done to it. Super happy with this saw!

Best of luck, Husqvarna. I would like to consider you again when it comes time to purchase a ~70cc saw.

Funny that this thread was revived today. I have a ms261 that I love. And I'm not sure if I'm getting older, or if all of @SawTroll comments about feel and balance have finally wore me down.... But I've been really into the Husqvarnas lately and actually just ordered a 545 today. I couldn't justify paying alot because I already have a 50cc saw. Found one brand new on eBay for $410. I was stoked, thinking I got a steal of a deal. Then i read this thread... Because I bought it online (from what looks to be a dirtbike shop), I have no idea when it was made... Hopefully it was made recently, with all the updates. Finger's crossed!

 

[rustyb]

Funny that this thread was revived today. I have a ms261 that I love. And I'm not sure if I'm getting older, or if all of @SawTroll comments about feel and balance have finally wore me down.... But I've been really into the Husqvarnas lately and actually just ordered a 545 today. I couldn't justify paying alot because I already have a 50cc saw. Found one brand new on eBay for $410. I was stoked, thinking I got a steal of a deal. Then i read this thread... Because I bought it online (from what looks to be a dirtbike shop), I have no idea when it was made... Hopefully it was made recently, with all the updates. Finger's crossed!

There's no doubt that the 550 was/is a fantastic feeling and running saw (when it's running the way it was intended). However, as particular and OCD as I am about details, the things I liked about the 550 quickly disappeared after realizing the niceness of having a saw that actually ran great every single time I ran it. Hope I haven't jinxed myself here but the NE 261 has been flawless for me. I believe the actual performance difference was/is so small that it probably just boils down to personal prefrenece in how the two saws feel. However, besides the 261 running so well for me, I do prefer its filter setup over that on the 550. Personally, I think the 261 filter is a better design. But I digress...

I don't come to these forums any more other than to ask questions so don't know what's going on with the 550 these days, whether Husqvarna has got this carb issue under control or not. Not to beat a dead horse but given the time the saw had been out prior to me buying one, and the way Husqvarna handled it.... it left a bad taste in my mouth that still lingers.

Good luck with your 545. It might be great!

 

[Custombillt]

I finally got my parts for my 550 carb swap today, it took me about an hour to get everything installed and programmed. I ran about 1/2 tank of fuel through it today, so far so good. It fires right up, idles nice, no bog and cuts strong. Time will tell. I’ll try to get some more run time on it tomorrow.