Relief valve for a fluid filter assembly

In a fluid treatment assembly having an outer shell closed at one end, a fluid treatment element, having a first end cap and a second end cap, within said shell, a treatment element hold down spring interposed between said closed end of said shell and said first end cap and a unit end cap assembly sealingly engaged with said open end of said shell, said hold down spring biasing said treatment element toward said unit end cap assembly, an improved treatment element by-pass valve comprising:

• a valve housing formed of a spring retention means sealingly engaged with said second end cap, said valve housing having a closed end and an opened end, said closed end having a fluid flow opening for enabling fluid to flow from said treatment element into said valve housing;
• a valve body interposed between said open end of said valve housing and said unit end cap assembly and sealingly engaged with said open end of said valve housing, said valve body having a fluid flow opening for enabling fluid to flow from said valve housing and at least one pressure responsive fluid flow opening for enabling fluid to flow into said valve housing through said pressure responsive opening in response to a predetermined fluid pressure;
• and
• by-pass valve assembly facilitating means attached to said valve body and extending through said fluid flow opening in said closed end of said valve housing, for engaging a portion of said valve housing adjacent said opening in said closed end of said valve housing for maintaining said housing and said body as a unit prior to assembly of said valve into said fluid treatment assembly, said assembly facilitating means being substantially disengaged from said valve housing by the biasing force of said element hold down spring for preventing operation of said valve from being dependent upon said assembly facilitating means in said fluid treatment assembly.