DGK,
There is no check valve in the canister.The center post in the canister is a double sleeve. The oil is pumped up the inner sleeve which is shoter than the outer sleeve. Once it reaches the top of the inner sleeve it drains down into the canister. The inner is not much shorter than the outer. This is why the canister stays full. It only back flows a 1/2 of an inch or so. Also, these are absorbtion filters. Not forced thru filters. The drain hole in the outer post is below the lower level(bottom side) of the filter.
Glenn,


Scootin thru with a 52,
Good, Economic and Classic
1952 Chevy 1/2-Ton