An upper endcap of a fuel filter cartridge includes a skirt, an axially extending pin surrounded by the skirt, and a plurality of ribs that define fluid flow channels leading to the pin. The pin is extendable through an axially facing fuel inlet opening at the upper end of a standpipe for actuating a valve to an open position allowing fuel to flow through the axially facing inlet opening and into the standpipe. The valve can include a hole that receives the pin therein to help stabilize the valve when the valve is actuated open.