Husqvarna 550XP Mark II Cylinder Cover

This Husqvarna 550XP Mark II cylinder cover replaces the top cover that sits over the engine, spark plug and air filter. A cracked or missing cover lets chips into the intake area and upsets cooling airflow, so it is worth replacing rather than taping up.

What the cylinder cover does

The cylinder cover is the big top shroud on the 550XP Mark II. It keeps sawdust, rain and debris off the air filter and spark plug, and it forms part of the path the flywheel pushes cooling air through. A saw that runs without it, or with a cover that is split open, pulls more dirt toward the intake and can run hotter than it should.

On a 50cc saw that gets used for limbing, bucking brush and storm cleanup, covers take a beating. Drops off the tailgate, a log rolling onto the saw or a cold morning crack around a latch are the usual causes.

A cover that does not seal well also lets fine dust reach the air filter faster, so the filter clogs sooner and the saw loses power through the day. If you have been cleaning the filter more often than usual, a loose or cracked cover may be the reason. Fitting a new one is quick, costs little next to engine wear, and keeps the saw looking and running like a working tool should.

Fitting and checking it

Swapping the cover is a hand-tool job: release the cover fasteners, lift the old cover off and seat the new one so it sits flat with no gaps around the edges. Check the air filter and plug while you have it off, and clean out packed chips around the cylinder fins.

The original 550XP and the Mark II are different saws, so match the part to your model before you order. For more service parts, browse our chainsaw parts section.