Ecological fuel filter cartridge and element

A fuel filter cartridge assembly comprising:

• housing means for forming a housing including a first section having a first end defining an opening for receiving a conduit, and a second section, means for removably connecting said sections to form a fluid-tight enclosure, and a sealing grommet disposed for fluidly sealing said first section to said conduit upon reception in said opening, said grommet having axially spaced first and second ends, and interior and exterior surfaces, the grommet first end exterior surface engaging said opening, said grommet second end disposed in said housing and having at least one radially extending protrusion of said exterior surface;
• and
• filter means for filtering fuel replacably receivable in said housing and comprising a filter element having a radially interior first filter surface and a radially exterior second filter surface and axially spaced first and second end caps enclosing the axial ends of said filter element, said first end cap including a radially inward extending shoulder defining an opening for receiving said grommet, said shoulder having an interior diameter less than an external diameter of said grommet protrusion and having an axial location permitting engagement of an axially intermediate portion of said grommet,
• wherein said filter means is installable within said housing means whereby said shoulder rides over said protrusion and engages said axially intermediate portion of said grommet so that said shoulder exerts a radially inward force on said grommet and said protrusion exerts an axial retention force on said shoulder.