Oil filter

On my new 2A deisel I got my speedo working eventually and then decided to change the oil as a precaution. I got the oil filter element out easily enough but a spring also fell out. Should there be a spring in there? There is no mention of it in the workshop manual or Haynes comic, can I assum someone put it in for a laugh?

Thanks Andrew

Page 1C-12 of the parts manual doesn't show any spring. Of course this doesn't mean it shouldn't be there on yours. Is it an original filter housing? Is the filter the correct type and many other such questions need to be asked before you chuck it.

I think its all standard, there is the threaded shaft with a thick washer that sits outside the housing and holds it in place. The element which is standard for the car (there was only one for the series diesel) and the large rubber washer that the hosting buts into at the top section.

Finally there is a spacer of sorts which sits above the element on the shaft. It has a hole in it, I assume to direct fliud to the center of the filter. I had assumed that this should be located towards the inlet but I cant see how that is done while tighten up.

The top spacer also seems a bit odd, the in-flow isnt forced to the center of the emement, as is normal, unless I got the spacer to line up. Even then its not very accurate.

But I wont chuck the spring whatever.

a lot of cars of that generation had a similar filter arrangement, and there was a spring fitted.
but for the life of me, i cant remember if a spring was fitted to my series 2a.

My series III has that spring... It goes one the bolt inside the housing... it holds the oil filter element to the engine... take the bolt, put on the washer, then the housing, then the spring then insert the oil filter element.... don't forget to replace the o-ring..

Thanks, it figures that I may have a III engine, it was originally a petrol. But the center of the filter is too wide to catch the spring, its an inch acorss and the spring is 1/2 inch. The one I removed was the same but do I need another filter?

im sure there should be a washer plate (dished) after the spring and before the actual filter?