Liquid filter

A liquid filter comprising:

• a housing having an inlet and an outlet, said housing comprising a housing vessel with a substantially downwardly open filter element installation opening and a removable cover that closes the installation opening, said cover having a drain for discharging residual liquid present in the housing,
• a filter element comprising a filter medium arranged in the housing between the housing inlet and housing outlet such that a fluid passing from the housing inlet to the housing outlet must pass through the filter medium of the filter element;
• and
• a device arranged in the area of said drain for opening and closing said drain;
• wherein the device for opening and closing the drain is connected to the filter element with limited axial play so the opening device can move a limited distance axially relative to the filter element, and the opening device is displaced axially relative to the drain opening to open the drain opening when said cover is removed.