A filter assembly including a filter element (220, 284) and a housing the housing having a mounting panel (204, 310) defining an opening and having an annular sealing surface surrounding the opening, the housing further including a cover (208, 286) having an annular seal load member (268, 302) defined by an inner extension and an outer terminal flange connected at an apex forming a bottom of a groove (278, 304) with the terminating flange (274, 306) projecting toward the opening in a closed position, the filter element comprising: a tubular ring of filter media (222, 283) sized to be received through said opening; a bottom end cap (226, 290) sealingly bonded to a bottom end of the tubular ring of filter media; a top end cap (224, 288), the top end cap including: an annular disc portion (228, 292) having a central opening, the annular disc portion sealingly bonded to a top end of the tubular ring of filter media; an annular seal support (234, 298); defined by an inner annular extension and an outer terminating flange connected at an apex; a radial spacer wall (236, 296) integral with the annular disc portion spacing the annular seal support (234, 298) radially outward from the tubular ring of filter media to provide a clearance space adapted to receive the terminating flange (274, 306), the annular seal support (234, 298) projecting from the radial spacer wall (236, 296) in a direction opposite the bottom end cap; and an annular seal member (240, 300) carried by the annular seal support and adapted to seal against the annular sealing surface; in the closed position of the cover (208, 286) the annular seal load member (268, 302) is positioned on the top of the annular seal support (234, 298) such that apex of the seal load member (268, 302) and apex of the annular seal support (234, 298) are generally aligned axially on top of each other, the bottom of the groove (278, 302) seating about the apex applying an axial compressive force on the annular seal member. a tubular ring of filter media (222, 283) sized to be received through said opening; a bottom end cap (226, 290) sealingly bonded to a bottom end of the tubular ring of filter media; a top end cap (224, 288), the top end cap including: an annular disc portion (228, 292) having a central opening, the annular disc portion sealingly bonded to a top end of the tubular ring of filter media; an annular seal support (234, 298); defined by an inner annular extension and an outer terminating flange connected at an apex; a radial spacer wall (236, 296) integral with the annular disc portion spacing the annular seal support (234, 298) radially outward from the tubular ring of filter media to provide a clearance space adapted to receive the terminating flange (274, 306), the annular seal support (234, 298) projecting from the radial spacer wall (236, 296) in a direction opposite the bottom end cap; and an annular seal member (240, 300) carried by the annular seal support and adapted to seal against the annular sealing surface; in the closed position of the cover (208, 286) the annular seal load member (268, 302) is positioned on the top of the annular seal support (234, 298) such that apex of the seal load member (268, 302) and apex of the annular seal support (234, 298) are generally aligned axially on top of each other, the bottom of the groove (278, 302) seating about the apex applying an axial compressive force on the annular seal member. an annular disc portion (228, 292) having a central opening, the annular disc portion sealingly bonded to a top end of the tubular ring of filter media; an annular seal support (234, 298); defined by an inner annular extension and an outer terminating flange connected at an apex; a radial spacer wall (236, 296) integral with the annular disc portion spacing the annular seal support (234, 298) radially outward from the tubular ring of filter media to provide a clearance space adapted to receive the terminating flange (274, 306), the annular seal support (234, 298) projecting from the radial spacer wall (236, 296) in a direction opposite the bottom end cap; and an annular seal member (240, 300) carried by the annular seal support and adapted to seal against the annular sealing surface; in the closed position of the cover (208, 286) the annular seal load member (268, 302) is positioned on the top of the annular seal support (234, 298) such that apex of the seal load member (268, 302) and apex of the annular seal support (234, 298) are generally aligned axially on top of each other, the bottom of the groove (278, 302) seating about the apex applying an axial compressive force on the annular seal member.