Ok, my car was stuttering at low RPM's and the enginer would rev and up and down and jerk my car until about 3rd gear. I took off the air intake hose, realised that was cracked. My protege engineering manual says all I have to do it take off that then take out the filter....there is no way to get in there with just taking off the hose. Any suggestions about an easy way to do it. I bought a new filter and I want to put it in anyways, even though maybe it was the hose that was causing my problem.

 

Fuel Filter is not easy to get too. Hidden back there in the middle of the engine compartment. Same problem for me turned out to be the #2 spark plug wire...check your wires for any arcing. Replaced em and runs fine.

 

The fuel filter is a bitch to change. I found that it is easiest, by far, to remove and replace the bottom hose from underneath the vehicle. You'll need ramps or jackstands. The filter can then be pulled out from the top.

Darren