carnival fuel filters - Australia pre 2006
As mentioned, the primary filter is in-tank.
Its not easy to muck around with.
And is more like a large bag, so very unlikely to be cause of problem.
Experiment with an old wrecker vehicle is my suggestion.
Yards don't complain too much if you disassemble without wanton destruction...
There is a secondary fuel filter under passenger side floor pan - near firewall.
That's east to check, disconnect outlet - initiate fuel pump, - if fuel squirts out - all good.
But also check your fuel ral connections, brittle pastic may have snapped\cracked during mechanical service work...
If you can hear fuel gurgling back to Tank after turning ignition on - usually a good sign that everything is ok.