How to Change the Oil on a 2004 Heritage Softail
by Robert GoodUpdated November 07, 2017
Items you will need
Oil catch pan
Ratchet set
Harley-Davidson Classic Heritage Softail FLSTC oil filter
3.5 quarts of Amsoil Synthetic 20w50 engine oil
The 2004 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail is an old school cruiser style motorcycle. The crank case holds three quarts of Harley engine oil and the oil filter is located on the rear of the crank case on the oil pump. On the bottom of the crank case is where the oil drain nut is located and on the side of the engine is the oil cap. You can buy everything that you will need at your nearest Harley dealership, namely the oil and oil filter.
Start the Heritage engine and allow the oil to warm for five minutes. Turn the engine off. Place the catch pan under the drain nut on the bottom of the engine.
Remove the drain nut from the bottom of the Harley's engine using the ratchet set. Allow the oil to drain from the Harley's crank case and then replace the nut.
Turn the oil cap counterclockwise to remove it. Pour the 3.5 quarts of Amsoil Synthetic 20w50 engine oil into the crank case and replace the cap.
Remove the oil filter from the oil pump by turning it counterclockwise. Place the new Harley FLSTC oil filter onto the oil pump and turn it clockwise until it is snug.
Warnings
Overfilling or using the wrong type of engine oil will cause serious damage to the engine of this motorcycle.
References
- "Donny's Unauthorized Technical Guide to Harley-Davidson, 1936 to Present: Volume III: The Evolution: 1984 to 2000"; Donny Petersen; 2010
Writer Bio
Living in Tucson, Ariz., Robert Good has been writing from 2003 on a wide variety of subjects ranging from sports, gardening and cooking to auto repair, home maintenance and travel. Good holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of the State of New York.
