an inner seal 170 is also carried by the first end cap 104 this inner seal 170 defines a radially inward directed sealing surface that will cooperate with a radially outward directed sealing surface of a filter head 171 see fig5 for the filter head to which the filter element 100 and filter housing 102 are attached in operation the first end cap 104 defines an inner seal carrier 172 see also fig2 for mounting the inner seal 170 the inner seal carrier 170 is similar to the outer seal carrier 114 in that it is a channel formed axially between two separate components of the first end cap 104 that are formed separate from one another prior to assembly of the first end cap 104 this channel includes a radially inward directed mouth for receiving the inner seal 170 with primary reference to fig2 in the illustrated embodiment first end cap 104 includes an axial spacer 174 that is formed separately from the first and second annular components 116 118 the axial spacer 174 is secured axially between the first and second annular components 116 118 the axial spacer 174 has multiple functions first the axial spacer defines part of the inner seal carrier 172 additionally the axial spacer 174 maintains axial spacing between the impermeable disk portions 138 144 proximate the inner peripheries of the first and second annular components 116 118 the first annular component 116 includes a radially inward extending flange 176 and an.