New L1500 Owner Question

Hello, I just purchased an early model L1500. I have been reading the forum. What a wealth of information. We were changing the fluids and filters today. Ours has the canister type oil filter (not spin on). In researching the replacement filter, I saw someone saying there is a spring inside the canister. Ours does not have one. Is it possible that it might not have a spring? If it should have a spring, does anyone have a part number and information on how to get one? Thanks in advance for your help.