Fuel filter element with flow actuator

A fluid filter assembly, comprising:

• a housing;
• a standpipe located in the housing, and having an opening, and a cavitied flow element movable between first non-fluid communication and second fluid communication positions with the opening;
• a cover attached to the housing;
• and
• a filter element removably received in the housing,
• wherein the filter element includes
• a hollow center tube positioned around the standpipe;
• a media surrounding the center tube;
• an upper endcap connected to and supporting the media;
• and
• a flow element actuator, which is a separate piece from the upper endcap and contacts an interior of the center tube below the upper endcap, said actuator including a projection extending away from the upper endcap to move the flow element,
• wherein said actuator is movable relative to the upper endcap.

A method for manufacturing a filter element, comprising the steps of:

• forming a center tube;
• forming a media to surround the center tube;
• forming an upper endcap connected to and supporting the media;
• forming an actuator as a separate piece from the upper endcap, said actuator including a projection;
• contacting an interior of the center tube below the upper endcap with the actuator so that the projection extends away from the upper endcap;
• and
• moving the actuator relative to the upper endcap from a position spaced from the upper endcap to a position abutting the upper endcap.

A method for manufacturing a fluid filter assembly, comprising the steps of:

• forming a housing to include a standpipe with an opening and a cavitied flow element movable between first non-fluid communication and second fluid communication positions with the opening, and a cover attached to the housing;
• forming a filter element to include
• a hollow center tube positioned around the standpipe,
• a media surrounding the center tube,
• an upper end cap, and
• an actuator separate from the upper endcap, said actuator including a projection;
• contacting an interior of the center tube below the upper endcap with the actuator, so that the projection extends away from the upper endcap;
• and
• removably locating the filter element in the housing.