Husqvarna Inlet Pipe Assembly for 550XP Mark II

The Husqvarna 550XP Mark II inlet pipe assembly is the rubber intake boot that connects the carburetor to the cylinder. When it splits or hardens, the saw sucks unmetered air, runs lean and hot, and can score the piston, so it is one of the first parts to check on a saw that won't tune right.

Symptoms of a bad inlet pipe

The 550XP Mark II is a popular ground and limbing saw, and it runs on AutoTune. A split intake boot lets in air the system can't account for. You may see a racing idle, surging, poor power, or a saw that bogs when you tip it. A pressure and vacuum test will confirm the leak.

Rubber gets brittle from heat and age, and a boot can also tear if the carb is pulled without care.

Because AutoTune keeps adjusting, an intake leak on a Mark II can hide for a while before it shows. The saw may run fine cold and then start acting up as it warms. If you have already cleaned the air filter, replaced the spark plug and checked the fuel filter and line, and the saw still surges or races, put the intake boot near the top of your list. It is a common failure on high-hour saws, and fixing it early protects the top end.

Fitting tips

The job involves removing the air filter and carburetor to reach the boot. Seat the new inlet pipe fully on the cylinder intake and the carb side so it seals all the way around. A little care here beats chasing an air leak later.

After assembly, let the saw run and settle before working hard. Pair it with other Mark II parts from our chainsaw parts category.