My 1998 had AWD, so might be a little different. The fuel line has a gizmo that prevents fuel from flowing if the car is upside down, probably what you tightened. That is the vent from the center of the tank.

To repl the fuel filter: My 1998 had the bracket access at the top, which meant that I had to open the access panel behind the rear seat - remove center panels with 10mm bolts. The filter does not come out through the access panel, but drops down. The fuel lines are just stuck on. I used a 15/17mm open ended wrench to pry the line off the filter. You will spill some fuel.

The new filter comes with plastic covers over each end, as the fuel line is removed, cap the fuel filter with the plastic cover to prevent a lot of fuel coming out. Make sure the filter points in the proper direction.

If there are no vacuum leaks, then you will need to make a smoke bomb and look at the whole car, left front to right rear.

Klaus
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My advice is 2 cents, so you got what you paid for...