09 heritage softtail classic oil leaking

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 29, 2008 | 10:26 AM

djdmad

Thread Starter

Novice

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 17

Likes: 0

From: St. Louis mo

09 heritage softtail classic oil leaking

Bought myself a 08 ultra classic in May after a 35 years without one. My wife decides she wants to learn to ride so she buys an 09 heritage softail classic in july. The 08 ultra does not leak a drop of oil but the 09 softtail has oil leaking from the line that is located on the inner right side of the oil tank i asume this is a vent line but is this normal ? While removing the plastic lower fender to install a H.D.garage door opener i found the area under the oil tank covered with oil . I do put a drip pan under the bike because of the leak. normal or not?

Nov 29, 2008 | 10:59 AM

keno

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,064

Likes: 4

From: Sierra Vista, Arizona

Not Normal
I'd take it in for a warranty fix.

Nov 29, 2008 | 11:07 AM

cantiebn

Intermediate

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 29

Likes: 0

From: Rochester, NY

RE: 09 heritage softtail classic oil leaking

not normal. You should never have any of the fluids coming out at all. If you do - there is somethign wrong.

Nov 29, 2008 | 11:15 AM

waterdog

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 352

Likes: 18

From: Back in Beautiful Mid-Tenn

On my 07 Heritage a small oil leak developed that was traced to the hose clamp not installed correctly. The clamp was not seated past the barbs on the fitting from the oil tank and allowed the hose to loosen up and slip partially off the fitting over time/miles.

Nov 29, 2008 | 12:33 PM

djdmad

Thread Starter

Novice

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 17

Likes: 0

From: St. Louis mo

thanks , did not think it was normal ,just got it back from its 1k service when I saw all the oil under the oil tank , thought the dealer would have seen the leak during the 1k service
but am not surprised with sub par service at this dealer, might be time to make a change!

Nov 29, 2008 | 03:11 PM

sctusa

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 577

Likes: 0

From: Carrabelle, Fl

Mine does not leak a drop....

Nov 29, 2008 | 03:28 PM

WARG

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 4,357

Likes: 11

From: The Lone Star State

Not sure how much oil you are finding, but it is not uncommon for oil to drip out of the vent hose that runs down in front of the mudguard in front of the rear tire. This would be a sign the oil tank is over filled. I found small dime size drops under my 06 the first week. Took it to two dealers multiple times and never found any leak. Never had oil come from anywhere else and never had to add oil in between services. Also, when I started doing my own oil changes, the drip stopped. The oil will vent out the tube when filled too high. But, it's brand new, take it in and have'em check it. I did, and it gave me peace of mind. Lots of times dealer techs will just drop in 3 quarts when in my experience with my bike about 2.8 quarts is appropriate.