Filter element and filter system for a liquid medium, particularly diesel fuel

The invention relates to a filter element (14) for purifying a liquid medium. The filter element (14) can be inserted into a filter housing (12) of a filter system (10) and has a filter medium (28). Downstream of the filter medium (28) is first a water separator screen (34) and thereafter a clean room (R) in fluid communication. The water rebounding at the water separator screen (34) flows via a water outlet opening (38) into a water collection chamber (40) of the filter housing (12). The water collection chamber (40) is therefore in fluid communication with the clean room (R). During replacement of the filter element (14), dirt particles can enter the water collection chamber (40). In order to prevent the transfer of these dirt particles from the water collection chamber (40) into the clean room (R), a particle filter (46) is arranged between the water collection chamber (40) and the clean room (R). The invention further relates to a filter system (10) with a filter element (14) as previously described.