Tempest AA48103-2 Oil Filter – Superior Filtration for Aircraft Engines

The Tempest AA48103-2 features the company's patented SPIN EZ solid-lubricated seal, which prevents the frustrating, time-consuming situation of a filter that bonds to the engine mount pad and won't come off. Traditional filters rely on liquid lubricants like DC-4 compound or grease applied between the rubber seal and the mount pad, but heat, pressure, and time cause those lubricants to migrate out from under the seal, creating a near-permanent bond between the filter and the engine. Tempest's solid lubricant is bonded directly to the gasket during manufacturing, stays in place between the seal and mount surface throughout the filter's service life, and requires no additional application of DC-4 or any other compound at installation. The result is a filter that comes off cleanly and consistently at every oil change.

All Tempest aviation oil filters, including the AA48103-2, incorporate a magnetic secondary filtration system designed to capture ferrous particles that are too small to be retained by the primary 40-micron filter media but still capable of causing progressive wear in engine components over time. By retaining these microscopic steel particles before they can recirculate through bearings, cam lobes, and other precision surfaces, the magnet adds a meaningful second layer of protection beyond what the filter media alone provides. Reviewing the filter during oil changes for magnetic debris accumulation also gives technicians and owners an early-warning indicator of abnormal internal engine wear, potentially catching developing problems before they become expensive failures.

The Tempest AA48103-2 is engineered to withstand burst pressures exceeding 600 PSI, surpassing the ARP 1400 aerospace oil filter standard by 50% through improvements to the roll seam construction at the base of the canister. This elevated structural margin provides meaningful protection against canister failure during cold-start conditions – when thick, high-viscosity oil can significantly raise filter differential pressure above normal operating levels – as well as during any abnormal pressure events the engine may experience. The strengthened canister construction ensures the filter maintains its integrity under demanding conditions, reducing the risk of a catastrophic oil loss event caused by canister failure.

The Tempest AA48103-2 uses a 13/16-16 female thread, whereas the AA48108-2 and AA48109 filters use a 3/4-16 female thread. While both the 48103 and 48108 filter families use female threads, they are not interchangeable because of their different thread sizes and are designed for different engine and aircraft applications. Always verify the correct filter for your specific engine using the Tempest application guide, as using a filter with the wrong thread size will prevent proper installation and could result in leaks or mounting damage.

The dash designation in Tempest aviation oil filter part numbers indicates the filter's height – over the years, Tempest has produced progressively shorter versions to accommodate tighter cowling clearances, with the dash-two (-2) being the shortest certified aviation oil filter in the Tempest lineup. The AA48103-2 is application-identical to both the original AA48103 (no dash) and the AA48103-1, and all three are used in the same engine and aircraft applications. When both a short and a taller filter are approved for a given application, Tempest recommends using the taller version when cowling space permits, as it offers maximum media area and filtration capacity – though the shorter dash-two version provides equivalent filtration when changed at recommended intervals.

Yes – the Tempest AA48103-2 is a confirmed, compatible replacement for the Champion CH48103-1, with the same thread specification, form factor, and application coverage. This makes the AA48103-2 a straightforward substitution for operators currently using Champion filters in the same engine applications, with the added benefit of Tempest's SPIN EZ non-stick seal technology and magnetic secondary filtration. The AA48103-2 is also interchangeable with the Tempest AA48104 per a Tempest Letter of Engineering Concurrence – though, as always, confirming specific fitment against the application guide for the exact engine model is recommended before substitution.

The AA48103-2 incorporates a patent-pending PC (protective) housing around the bypass valve – a design feature that makes Tempest the only aviation oil filter manufacturer to include this protection. If the bypass valve were to fail mechanically, a filter without this housing could have the failed component partially or fully obstruct the main oil outlet port, restricting oil flow to the engine at the worst possible time. The PC housing contains the bypass valve within a dedicated enclosure, so that a failed valve cannot compromise the primary oil flow path, providing built-in structural redundancy beyond relying solely on bypass valve component reliability.

The AA48103-2 uses a resin-impregnated, cellulosic full-pleat media with 312 square inches of filtration area – more media area than any other aviation oil filter. The full-pleat design ensures uniform oil flow across the entire element, rather than creating localized high-flow areas that can cause premature pleat collapse, while the resin impregnation adds structural rigidity to the media, resisting collapse under the elevated differential pressure of cold-start, high-viscosity conditions. Tempest's 40-micron filtration rating, combined with the magnetic secondary system, gives the AA48103-2 multi-stage protection against both medium and fine particulate contamination throughout the service interval.