It's part of the fuel pump sending unit located in the gas tank. Your local parts store will tell you that it is a non-user-serviceable unit but online parts retailers will sell you one. It can be replaced separately from the fuel pump, and the job can be done without lowering the fuel tank.
Inside the fuel tank
The only fuel filter on the 1999 Protege is a "sock" on the fuel pump pickup tube inside the gas tank. The sock can't be replaced seperately from Mazda, you have to replace the fuel pump which does not include the sending unit.
I have a 2000 Mazda protege. My fuel filter is in the gas tank and is not something you can replace. John B.
what has to be removed to get to fuel filter
The only fuel filter in a 2002 Protege is in the fuel pump, which is in the gas tank. The filter is designed to last the life of the pump.
Where exactly it the fuel filter located on my 1996 Mazda protege 1.5 motor.
It is located in the fuel tank itself.
I was told the fuel filter is located in the fuel pump which is located in the fuel tank.
there isn't one
try going on ebay!
Next to the master brake cly.
From the look of things theis car does not have a fuel filter. The only filter that has to do with the fuel seems to be in the fuel tank. A 2001 Mazda Protege (actually, all models from 1999-2003 including the DX, LX, ES, Mazdaspeed, and Protege 5) does not have an inline fuel filter. The only fuel filter it has is a "strainer" or a "screen", which looks like a nylon mesh "sock". This strainer is connected to the fuel pump, located in the gas tank. Although this fuel strainer does not require periodic replacement, it is recommended that it be changed if you are replacing the fuel pump.