Abstract: The problem of protecting a spring (44) of a spring loaded valve member (34) in a filter assembly (10) is solved by providing a valve body (12) defining a valve seat (20), with the valve member movable in the valve body to and from a closed position against the valve seat. The spring is disposed in a cavity (46) in the valve body, the spring biasing the valve member toward its closed position against the valve seat. The cavity has a mouth located in the path of movement of the valve member for closing by the valve member to capture and isolate the spring when the valve member moves to an open position away from the valve seat. A filter bowl (22) is removably attached to the valve body for automatically opening the valve member in response to attaching the bowl to the valve body.