Pleated fluid filter element and methods

A filter element having an upstream side and a downstream side, the filter element comprising:

• an inner core;
• and
• a plurality of component layers disposed around the inner core, the plurality of component layers defining fluid communication between the upstream side and the downstream side, wherein the plurality of component layers cooperatively define a plurality of pleats having a pleat packing density of greater than 125%, wherein each pleat of the plurality of pleats extends from the inner core in a direction radially outward from the inner core, and the plurality of component layers comprises:
• a first layer of filter media and a second layer of filter media adjacent to the first layer of filter media, wherein each of the first and second layers of filter media comprises a bicomponent fiber, and polyester fibers wherein a portion of the first layer of filter media and second layer of filter media are uncoupled, and wherein the second layer of filter media has a mean flow pore size equal to or smaller than a mean flow pore size of the first layer of filter media;
• and
• a support layer system adjacent to the second layer of filter media.