A liquid filter having a housing with a removable cover and an exchangeable cylindrical insert enclosed by two end disks. The filter has a bypass valve and the upper end disk has a central valve seat interacting with a valve body. The housing has a central discharge duct, with a closure pin fixed in the duct which is axially adjustable between closed and open positions. The filter has a valve body carrier connected, with limited axial displaceability, to the pin. The carrier, on its free end, has the bypass valve body, and onto which the insert end disk is mountable. The carrier is preloaded with a force, acting in the closing direction of the valve via a housing spring. During mounting of the insert onto the carrier, a force acting in the closing direction of the closure pin can be exerted directly on the pin by the insert.