Tempest AA48108-2 Oil Filter | Aviation-Grade Filtration for Lycoming & Continental Engines

The Tempest AA48108-2 features the company's patent-pending SPIN EZ solid-lubricated seal, which eliminates the need for DC-4 grease or other liquid lubricants that technicians traditionally apply to prevent filters from seizing to the engine mount pad. Over time, liquid lubricants migrate out from under the filter seal under heat and pressure, leaving the filter essentially bonded to the mounting surface and extremely difficult to remove without special tools or forceful methods. The SPIN EZ proprietary solid lubricant is bonded to the seal itself, staying in place between the seal and the mount pad surface and preventing the adhesion that makes legacy filters stick. The result is a filter that comes off cleanly and without the mess, frustration, or risk of damage associated with stuck filter removal.

The Tempest AA48108-2 filters to 30 microns nominal, capturing metallic particles and contaminants before they can reach critical engine components such as bearings, cam lobes, and lifters. A filtration efficiency of 99% percent or greater at 25 microns reflects the filter's performance against fine particulates that can still cause progressive wear damage, even when invisible to the naked eye. The filter's full-pleat media design maximizes the available filtration surface area for both contaminant capture and holding capacity throughout the full service interval.

Yes – the Tempest AA48108-2 and the Champion CH48108-1 are direct, interchangeable replacements with identical specifications, form factor, and application coverage. The AA48108-2 is also an accepted replacement for the Kelly 48108-1. Both filters share the same 3/4-16 female thread configuration, making substitution straightforward without any adapter or fitment concerns. The AA48108-2 carries FAA-PMA certification, confirming it meets the same regulatory and airworthiness standards as the OEM filter it replaces.

The Tempest AA48108-2 is engineered to withstand burst pressures exceeding 600 PSI, a level that surpasses the ARP 1400 aerospace standard by 50%. This elevated burst strength results from significant improvements to the roll seam process on the canister base, one of the most pressure-sensitive areas of a spin-on filter design. In flight environments where cold-start oil viscosity, thermal pressure spikes, or abnormal operating conditions can briefly subject the filter to elevated stress, that additional safety margin provides meaningful assurance of canister integrity.

The AA48108-2 meets the Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) bypass specification of 12 to 14 PSI differential pressure, which is a more stringent standard than many competing filters comply with. A bypass valve that opens too easily – below this specification – can activate during cold-start operation when thick, cold oil generates elevated pressure across the filter, routing unfiltered oil directly to the engine before proper operating temperature is reached. By holding to the TCM 12 to 14 PSI threshold, the AA48108-2 keeps oil flowing through the filter media rather than bypassing it during the critical warm-up phase, providing full filtration protection from the moment the engine starts.

The Tempest AA48108-2 uses a 3/4-16 female thread, which distinguishes it from the AA48110-2 (which uses a 3/4-16 male thread) and the AA48103-2 (which uses a 13/16-16 female thread). Selecting the wrong thread type will prevent the filter from seating properly and could result in leaks or installation failure, so always verify the thread specification in the aircraft or engine maintenance manual before ordering. The torque nut on the AA48108-2 is 1” in diameter, and the filter should be installed to 16 to 18 ft-lbs using a calibrated torque wrench.

Tempest oil filters, including the AA48108-2, are manufactured in the United States. For aviation operators and maintenance facilities that prioritize domestic sourcing, this is a meaningful consideration alongside the filter's FAA-PMA certification and OEM-level quality standards. Tempest designs, produces, and tests its filters under controlled manufacturing processes, and each filter ships with documentation supporting traceability and regulatory compliance.

Yes – the AA48108-2 is available in a six-pack configuration for operators and shops that regularly service multiple aircraft. Purchasing in quantity simplifies inventory management, ensures a consistent supply of filters on hand between scheduled maintenance intervals, and can offer cost savings compared to individual unit pricing. Six-packs are a practical choice for flight schools, MROs, FBOs, and fleet operators managing several aircraft powered by compatible Lycoming or Continental engines.