Tempest AA48110-2 Oil Filter – Spin-On Filter - Aircraft Engines

The Tempest AA48110-2 features a patent-pending SPIN EZ solid-lubricated seal that solves one of the most common frustrations in aviation oil filter maintenance: stuck filters. Traditional spin-on filters use DC-4 grease or similar liquid lubricants between the rubber seal and the filter mount pad, but heat, time, and pressure can cause those lubricants to migrate out from under the seal, essentially bonding the filter to the engine. Tempest's proprietary solid lubricant stays exactly where it belongs – between the seal and the mount surface – preventing that bonding environment from forming and making filter removal fast and hassle-free without messy compounds. Eliminating the DC-4 application step also simplifies the oil change process and removes one potential source of over-lubrication errors.

The Tempest AA48110-2 filters engine oil to 30 microns, capturing metallic particles and contaminants before they can circulate through critical engine components such as bearings, cam lobes, and lifters. For reference, particles smaller than the human eye can detect – beginning around 40 microns – can still cause progressive wear damage in tight-tolerance aircraft engine assemblies, making effective fine filtration essential to long-term engine health. With 311 square inches of full-pleated filtration media – more media area than most competing aviation oil filters – the AA48110-2 provides both fine filtration and ample flow capacity across the full service interval.

The AA48110-2 uses a full-pleat media configuration specifically engineered for uniform oil flow across the entire filter element and resistance to collapse under pressure. Unlike filters with fewer or shorter pleats, the full-pleat design distributes pressure evenly across the media surface, reducing the risk of localized restriction that can push the bypass valve open prematurely. Leaf spring technology is incorporated into the filter pack to maintain lateral stability of the media, preventing it from shifting or compressing during high-pressure conditions that could compromise filtration efficiency mid-service.

The Tempest AA48110-2 is engineered to withstand burst pressures of 600 to 700 PSI, exceeding the ARP 1400 aerospace standard by 50%. This elevated burst strength is achieved through significant improvements to the roll seam process used on the base of the canister, combined with heavy-gauge construction featuring a .019" full-can wall thickness and a .187" base plate. In a flight environment where oil temperature and viscosity change, and cold-start pressure spikes can momentarily stress the filter beyond its normal operating range, that safety margin matters. The powder-coated exterior finish adds additional corrosion resistance for long-term durability in demanding engine compartment environments.

The AA48110-2 meets the Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) bypass specification of 12 to 14 psi differential pressure, which is a more demanding standard than many competing filters satisfy. A bypass valve set too low – below the TCM specification – can open prematurely during cold-start operation when cold, thick oil generates elevated filter differential pressure, routing unfiltered oil directly to the engine before the oil has fully warmed. By meeting the 12 to 14 psi TCM specification, the AA48110-2 keeps the bypass valve closed during normal cold-start conditions, ensuring oil flows through the filter media rather than around it during the critical early minutes of engine operation.

Yes – the Tempest AA48110-2 and the Champion CH48110-1 are direct, interchangeable replacements with the same form factor, fitment, and function. Both use a 3/4-16 male thread configuration and share the same overall dimensions of 4-3/8" in height and 3-3/4" in diameter. The AA48110-2 is also equivalent to the original AA48110 (without the dash suffix), and is accepted as the Tempest equivalent for the Champion CH48108-1 and TCM part number 649922 in applicable applications. When substituting filters, always verify the thread type – the AA48110-2 has male threads, while the AA48108-2 uses female threads, and the two are not interchangeable despite their similar part numbers.

One of the more practical engineering improvements on the AA48110-2 is its reinforced nut-weld construction, which addresses a known failure mode on older-generation aviation oil filters: installation nuts that twist free of the canister during removal. Tempest's production testing protocol for this filter requires that the base metal of the canister distort before the nut welds fail – in other words, the canister will deform before the weld lets go. This level of weld integrity eliminates the scenario where an installation nut spins freely on a seized filter, leaving the technician with no mechanical purchase to complete removal. The result is a more predictable and safer filter change procedure, particularly for filters that have been in service for extended periods.

The Tempest AA48110-2 installs to 16 to 18 ft-lbs of torque using its 3/4-16 male thread, following the same installation procedure as the Champion CH48110-1 it replaces. The SPIN EZ solid-lubricated seal is pre-applied at the factory and requires no additional DC-4 compound or other lubricant at installation, simplifying the process and removing a common source of inconsistency. As with all spin-on aviation oil filters, installation should follow the engine or airframe manufacturer's maintenance manual, and the filter should always be hand-tightened first before applying the final torque with a calibrated wrench to avoid cross-threading. The AA48110-2 is FAA-PMA approved and supplied with FAA-8130 documentation for traceability and regulatory compliance.