Husqvarna 359 Chainsaw Review: Should You Buy It Second Hand?

The Husqvarna 359 is a popular 59cc, 3.6 hp chainsaw that can be difficult to find.

Those who are lucky enough to own one are full of praise and have few (if any) complaints.

You cannot buy a new Husqvarna 359 chainsaw as they were discontinued, along with the 357 XP (built on the same chassis), in 2011 with the release of the Husqvarna 500 series.

If you’ve found a second-hand one for sale then it can be a good idea to grab it quick before someone else does!

Husqvarna 359 Chainsaw

While the Husqvarna 359 is not technically a pro-level saw, it is one of the top non-commercial saws.

It’s perfect for home and farm use and can be used heavily. The saw will run happily for many hours a day.

For those processing between 5-10 cords of firewood per year, it’s a great unit.

It has a long history of use with professional chainsaw users as well and is popular in the tree feller and arborist communities.

Alongside cutting firewood, it’s commonly used for:

• Pruning trees
• Limbing trees
• Dropping smaller trees

The 359 is not a chainsaw for milling or for felling larger trees, nor will it run well for 10 hours a day all week every week. For that work, you’d be better off with a professional logging chainsaw.

It’s a very reliable saw that can be expected to last 10+ years with proper use, care, and maintenance.

Husqvarna 359 Features

Exact features can vary between chainsaws produced at different times and in different locations.

Here are the standard features that you’ll find on most 359s:

• Anti-vibration dampeners absorb vibration
• Durable magnesium crankcase
• Centrifugal air cleaning system allows longer operating time between filter cleanings
• Ergonomic angled front handle
• Adjustable oil pump
• Side-mounted chain tensioner
• Compression release button for easy starting
• Easy start choke/stop control

Husqvarna 359 Specs

Again, the exact specs can vary between units made at different times and in different locations.

• 59 cc engine
• 3.9 hp / 2.9 kW
• 0.68 liter / 1.44 US pint fuel capacity
• 0.38 liter bar oil capacity
• 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg (without bar)
• 100 dB(A) when running

For more information, see the Husqvarna 359 user manual.

Besides the standard model, there are 3 other models in the 359 series:

• Husqvarna 359 E-TECH
• Husqvarna 359 G
• And the Husqvarna 359 G E-TECH

You can find out more about the different Husqvarna designations here, but the ‘G’ indicates heated handles and/or carb.

Husqvarna 359 ETech

The E Tech version of the 359 has a different muffler from the original model.

It’s a catalytic muffler that is said to make them run hotter and is less popular in the Husky community.

Husqvarna says, “E-TECH engines are optimized for power, environmental features, and handling. They combine high power and low weight with reduced exhaust emissions and user-friendly features.”

Having someone who knows what they’re doing complete a Husqvarna 359 muffler mod can help here.

Husky 359 Bar And Chain

The 359 is recommended for use with a 13-20 inch bar, though you’ll find accounts of people putting larger bars on it as well.

Most owners of this saw run either an 18 or 20-inch bar.

When it was possible to buy a new Husqvarna 359 is was generally sold with a 20-inch bar.

The type of chainsaw chain you run will depend on the bar and the type of work you are doing. A 3/8 chain pitch is good, but a .325 also runs really well.

If you are running it with a 20-inch bar, this chain on Amazon should do the job.

Husqvarna 359 Price

How much should you pay for a used Husky 359?

It’s difficult to say for sure but expect anywhere from $200 – $400.

If you’re able to pick one up for less than $200 it’s likely to be a good deal, especially as they become harder to find.

As always, it’s going to depend on the condition and whether it’s had any parts replaced or modifications made.

The Husqvarna 359 price was around $600 when new.

Alternatives

Comparable or alternative chainsaws to look into:

• 550xp – lighter, less vibration, and faster
• 555 – similar power and basically a renewed 359 with a modernized engine and carb
• 357xp – another faster running saw

See the video above for a comparison of the Husky 359 with the Stihl MS391.

If you were just looking for a saw for around the home, see these top chainsaws for light work.

Husqvarna 359 Review

A quick search for the 359 in the chainsaw forums and Facebook groups reveals this to be an extremely popular chainsaw.

You might not know this, but there are people out there with dozens of Husqvarna chainsaws. These are either those who use their saws for work or who are just obsessed.

These are the types of people who are saying the 359 is one of their favorite saws for the work it can do.

While you will hear of needing to get it ported to get the maximum benefit, this isn’t something that is necessary for the average user.

Porting a chainsaw cylinder is a modification to give the chainsaw more power, and which allows it to run stronger and cooler.

If you’re looking at buying a ported 359 saw, it would be best to ensure it was done correctly to have peace of mind.

Pros

• reliable hardworking saw
• long-lasting through plenty of use
• powerful and capable of processing hardwood
• strong history of performance
• parts are still fairly plentiful

Cons

• plastic case
• a little heavy
• may need to have it ported for the full potential
• plastic clamp on the intake boot may need replacing with a metal clamp

Other popular models that have been discontinued include the Husqvarna 51 and the Husqvarna 141.

Husqvarna 359 Engine Problems

You’ve just bought or been given one of these chainsaws and can’t get it started or are discovering some problems.

Here are some of the things to consider and check:

• Oil pump seals and hose
• Check for an air leak – the seals or intake could be leaking
• The fuel tank pickup filter could be dirty/clogged
• Check the compression
• Could have a cracked gas line (may need new carb and all new lines)
• If it has a plastic intake clamp replace the intake boot and clamp
• Check the spark-plug – they can stop sparking inside the cylinder when they get close to operating temperature

The Husqvarna 359 chainsaws came with a Walbro carb that has an accelerator pump in them that often fails.

If you change out the carb and update the intake this can solve the issue.  You will need to replace it with a Zama carb with no accelerator pump. These can be picked up on eBay here for around $20 or search Zama C3 El-42.

It may only need a quick fix. Are all the screws on the top plate of the carburetor secure, for example? Sometimes that’s all that is required to get her humming.

Husky 359 Leaking Bar Oil

It’s not uncommon for chainsaws to leak bar oil, least of the Husqvarna 359. They are somewhat known for it!

They are great saws but tend to leak where the pump attaches to the suction line from the oil tank. You can get a new replacement line and this will solve it – for a couple of years!

Inner oil feed pipes for a Husky 359 (and most other models) can be picked up for around $10 or less.

They will also leak if they are left sitting in the sun or in a warm location. Pressure builds in the tank and the oil will find a way out.

Many have just learned to live with it by storing them on their side or empty. You can turn the saw 90 degrees to the side and store it that way. It’s not a fix but it does stop the leaking!

Here are some other ideas on how to deal with a 359 leaking oil:

• Put a fuel-resistant gasket maker around the hose that fits into the oil tank
• Use Permatex Motoseal to create a tough flexible bond if you know where it’s leaking
• Silicon, where the line goes into the tank, may also solve it
• Try an aftermarket oil pump like this one
• Consider and check if the case is cracked

A chainsaw that leaks bar oil isn’t anything new, nor is it the end of the world. However, it is a pain and something that’s good to get on top of!

359 Modifications

What are the best ways to get more power out of the 359?

• Porting and a muffler mod wakes these saws up big time – you could see a 25% gain with no machine work.
• Lower transfers – open up the lower transfers
• Base gasket delete and port the cylinder

Find out how to port a Husqvarna 359 Chainsaw here.

Husqvarna 359 Chain Saw

Whether you decide to go with the Husqvarna 359 or an alternative model, it’s hard to go wrong.

However, when buying a second-hand chainsaw it can be best to go with your gut. If something tells you there might be something wrong with the saw or the seller, it might be best to pass on the offer.

If it’s at a great price then there’s not much to lose!

A 359 that has been looked after and is in good condition is worth its weight in gold. It can be purchased knowing it will be great for all types of work around the home and farm.

The 359 is no 562XP, and cannot be compared to the new 585, but it’s great in its class and will always have a strong fanbase.