I know the 4.4 (which has a remote mount filter housing), but can offer some general advice.

There is a drain back valve in the filter housing. The oil filter press it down when installed, it open as the filter lid is removed so oil drains back into the pan. That valve has to be in the bottom of the oil filter housing to work.

The oil pump has a pressure regulating valve built in. If it fell apart you would have lousy oil pressure and probably quickly kill your engine.

The Inner diameter of the main oil tubes/hoses is on the order of 1 cm. it is hard to imagine the main parts of the valve passing through that opening.

Good luck,

David

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David.X5
2001 X5 4.4i Sport
SOLD! at 160k miles