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A filter element includes filter media, first and second end caps, a latch arrangement projecting from the first end cap, a tubular neck extending from the first end cap and a valve head oriented within the first end cap aperture constructed and arranged to move between a position sealing the first

A filter element includes filter media, first and second end caps, a latch arrangement projecting from the first end cap, a tubular neck extending from the first end cap and a valve head oriented within the first end cap aperture constructed and arranged to move between a position sealing the first end cap aperture and exposing the first end cap aperture. A filter assembly includes a filter element, as characterized herein, and including a filter base and a service cover. A method of servicing includes removing an old filter element, operably mounting a new filter element in a filter base including engaging a valve head against a spring member in the filter base, and operably mounting the service cover over the new filter element and filter base. A method of filtering includes directing liquid into a filter assembly, blocking a first end cap aperture by using a spring member in the filter base to urge the valve head against a rim of a tubular neck extending from the filter element, and directing liquid through the filter media to filter the liquid.

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1. A filter element comprising a tubular extension of pleated filter media having first and second opposite ends; the tubular extension of pleated filter media defining an open filter interior; a first end cap secured to the first end of the filter media; the first end cap having a first end cap ape

1. A filter element comprising a tubular extension of pleated filter media having first and second opposite ends; the tubular extension of pleated filter media defining an open filter interior; a first end cap secured to the first end of the filter media; the first end cap having a first end cap aperture; a second end cap secured to the second end of the filter media; the second end cap having a second end cap aperture in communication with the open filter interior; a latch arrangement projecting from the first end cap; the filter element being characterized by: (a) a tubular neck extending from the first end cap and circumscribing the first end cap aperture; the tubular neck being circumscribed by the latch arrangement; and(b) a valve head oriented within the first end cap aperture and constructed and arranged to move between a position sealing the first end cap aperture and exposing the first end cap aperture; (i) the valve head including an arm arrangement slidably held with the tubular neck; (A) the arm arrangement including a plurality of arms, each arm having a hook. 2. A filter element according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the valve head includes a sealing surface sized to operably form a seal with the first end cap aperture; and(b) the valve head includes a seating surface at an end opposite of the sealing surface; the seating surface being sized to mount on a spring-member in a base, when the filter element is operably mounted in the base. 3. A filter element according to claim 2 wherein: (a) the valve head includes a plateau region circumscribed by the sealing surface; and(b) the plurality of arms extend from the plateau region. 4. A filter element according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the tubular neck includes a cylindrical wall and an axial end wall forming a rim; the rim defining the first end cap aperture. 5. A filter element according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the latch arrangement includes at least two latches; each of the latches includes a deflectable latch finger extending from the first end cap and a catch at a free end of each finger. 6. A filter element according to claim 5 wherein: (a) the latch arrangement and tubular neck are a same molded piece as the first end cap. 7. A filter element according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the filter element is at least 99% non-metallic. 8. A filter assembly comprising: (a) a filter base;(b) a service cover operably and removably mounted over the filter base; and(c) a filter element operably mounted on the filter base; the filter element including, (i) a tubular extension of pleated filter media having first and second opposite ends; the tubular extension of pleated filter media defining an open filter interior; a first end cap secured to the first end of the filter media; the first end cap having a first end cap aperture; a second end cap secured to the second end of the filter media; the second end cap having a second end cap aperture in communication with the open filter interior; a latch arrangement projecting from the first end cap;(ii) a tubular neck extending from the first end cap and circumscribing the first end cap aperture; the tubular neck being circumscribed by the latch arrangement; and(iii) a valve head oriented within the first end cap aperture and constructed and arranged to move between a position sealing the first end cap aperture and exposing the first end cap aperture; (A) the valve head including an arm arrangement slidably held with the tubular neck; and(B) the arm arrangement including a plurality of arms, each arm having a hook. 9. A filter assembly according to claim 8 wherein: (a) the filter base includes an inner support and a spring member within the inner support; and(b) the filter element is operably mounted over the inner support with the filter head being oriented against the spring member. 10. A filter assembly according to claim 9 wherein: (a) the service cover includes an inner rim releasably engaging the latch arrangement on the filter element. 11. A method of servicing a filter assembly; the method comprising: (a) removing a service cover and a used filter element from a filter base;(b) providing a new filter element; the new filter element including a first end cap having a tubular neck extending therefrom and circumscribing a first end cap aperture; the new filter element also including a valve head oriented within the first end cap aperture and constructed and arranged to move between a position sealing the first end cap aperture and exposing the first end cap aperture; the valve head including an arm arrangement slidably held with the tubular neck; and the arm arrangement including a plurality of arms, each arm having a hook;(c) operably mounting the new filter element in the filter base including engaging the valve head against a spring member in the filter base; and(d) operably mounting the service cover over the new filter element and filter base. 12. A method of servicing according to claim 11 wherein: (a) the step of operably mounting the service cover includes engaging a latch arrangement extending from the new filter element first end cap with an internal ring in the service cover. 13. A method of servicing according to claim 12 wherein: (a) the used filter element is releasably attached to the service cover; and(b) the step of removing a service cover and a used filter element from a filter base includes simultaneously removing the service cover and the used filter element. 14. A method of servicing according to claim 11 wherein: (a) the step of removing a service cover and a used filter element from a filter base includes removing a used filter element that has a first end cap having a tubular neck extending therefrom and circumscribing a first end cap aperture and a valve head oriented within the first end cap aperture. 15. A filter element comprising a tubular extension of pleated filter media having first and second opposite ends; the tubular extension of pleated filter media defining an open filter interior; a first end cap secured to the first end of the filter media; the first end cap having a first end cap aperture; a second end cap secured to the second end of the filter media; the second end cap having a second end cap aperture in communication with the open filter interior; a latch arrangement projecting from the first end cap; the filter element being characterized by: (a) a tubular neck extending from the first end cap and circumscribing the first end cap aperture; the tubular neck being circumscribed by the latch arrangement; the tubular neck including a cylindrical wall and an axial end wall forming a rim; the rim defining the first end cap aperture;(b) a valve head oriented within the first end cap aperture and constructed and arranged to move between a position sealing the first end cap aperture and exposing the first end cap aperture; (i) the valve head including an arm arrangement slidably held with the tubular neck; (A) the arm arrangement including a plurality of arms, each arm having a hook; and(B) each hooked free end of each of the arms is engageable with the rim when the valve head is in a position exposing the first end cap aperture. 16. A filter element according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the valve head includes a sealing surface sized to operably form a seal with the first end cap aperture; and(b) the valve head includes a seating surface at an end opposite of the sealing surface; the seating surface being sized to mount on a spring-member in a base, when the filter element is operably mounted in the base. 17. A filter element according to claim 16 wherein: (a) the valve head includes a plateau region circumscribed by the sealing surface; and(b) the plurality of arms extend from the plateau region. 18. A filter element according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the latch arrangement includes at least two latches; each of the latches includes a deflectable latch finger extending from the first end cap and a catch at a free end of each finger. 19. A filter element according to claim 18 wherein: (a) the latch arrangement and tubular neck are a same molded piece as the first end cap. 20. A filter element according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the filter element is at least 99% non-metallic. 21. A filter element comprising a tubular extension of pleated filter media having first and second opposite ends; the tubular extension of pleated filter media defining an open filter interior; a first end cap secured to the first end of the filter media; the first end cap having a first end cap aperture; a second end cap secured to the second end of the filter media; the second end cap having a second end cap aperture in communication with the open filter interior; a latch arrangement projecting from the first end cap; the filter element being characterized by: (a) a tubular neck extending from the first end cap and circumscribing the first end cap aperture; the tubular neck being circumscribed by the latch arrangement; and the tubular neck being shorter than the latch arrangement;(b) a valve head oriented within the first end cap aperture and constructed and arranged to move between a position sealing the first end cap aperture and exposing the first end cap aperture; (i) the valve head including an arm arrangement slidably held with the tubular neck; (A) the arm arrangement including a plurality of arms, each arm having a hook; and(c) the latch arrangement includes at least two latches; each of the latches includes a deflectable latch finger extending from the first end cap and a catch at a free end of each finger. 22. A filter element according to claim 21 wherein: (a) the valve head includes a sealing surface sized to operably form a seal with the first end cap aperture; and(b) the valve head includes a seating surface at an end opposite of the sealing surface; the seating surface being sized to mount on a spring-member in a base, when the filter element is operably mounted in the base. 23. A filter element according to claim 22 wherein: (a) the valve head includes a plateau region circumscribed by the sealing surface; and(b) the plurality of arms extend from the plateau region. 24. A filter element according to claim 21 wherein: (a) the latch arrangement includes at least two latches; each of the latches includes a deflectable latch finger extending from the first end cap and a catch at a free end of each finger. 25. A filter element according to claim 24 wherein: (a) the latch arrangement and tubular neck are a same molded piece as the first end cap. 26. A filter element according to claim 21 wherein: (a) the filter element is at least 99% non-metallic.