The oil filter supply issues and the rising cost of them persuaded me to purchase a cleanable Challenger CP48110C Oil Filter
It also has the advantage of being shorter (3.31” / 8.4cm) and narrower than the equivilent Champion/Tempest disposable units. This is a real benefit since the access to the filter on the engine is very restricted.
It arrives with a spare gasket (CP-623 is the part number), which is replaced on condition. I purchased a few more with the order.
View of the business end.
The filter element is removed by depressing into the housing, then rotating left to align its three “ears” with the housing slots.
Here it is removed.
The spring in the bottom keeps the filter element engaged in the slots until it is nipped up during installation.
The instruction sheet included with the filter states …
Challenger cleanable oil flter with a stainless steel element, must be cleaned and visually inspected at minimum with every oil change or sooner if operating in dusty conditions. The oil filter's cleanable element must be replaced at 1250 hours or 5 years of engine operation, whichever should occur first.
It goes on to say about cleaning …
Visually inspect and wash the stainless steel filter element, spring and housing and clean all metal surfaces with biodegradable cleaner, non-toxic shop solvent or soap and water. If inspection of trapped debris is desired, flush particles into a clean light colored container. Use low pressure shop air to blow dry the fiter element from the inside out to remove remaining particles or cleaning agent from the screen.
Before installation the rubber gasket surface is lubed with clean engine oil.
The housing end incorporates a standard 1” hex, and also holes for wire locking.
Here is the Tempest about to be removed …
… and here is the Challenger installed. It’s smaller size enabled an easier install.
Note the wire locking is not yet done.
I’ve only flown two short flights since the filter has been installed, but so far I haven’t seen any change in oil temperatures or pressure. But I’ll report further when I’ve analysed the parameters in more detail on a longer flight.