replacing in-tank fuel filter

is the pump on top of the tank or on the bottom? if its on top you would have to drop the tank. if its on the bottom drain the fuel and take the bolts off remove the pump and filter and replace

I already accessed the assembly by removing the rear seat and the cover plate on top of the tank. Do I turn the steel ring with the 8 holes in it to access the fuel pump and filter?

first unhook your battery,take a hammer and screwdriver and bump the ring around until you can remove it then you can pull the sending unit out,be careful to watch how you remove the pump put it back the same way,then put the ring back in and tighten the way you took it out.be sure you hook the wires right,this is a DANGEROUS job if you havent done it before,MAKE SURE THEIR IS NO BEAR WIRE EXPOSED BEFORE YOU PUT IT BACK IN THE TANK,their is 2 black looking small hoses with the new pump,slide them over the wires of new pump before you hook the wires up slide the hose like things over the wires,use a lighter and heat them ,DO NOT BURN THEM they will shrink tight around the wires & DO NOT USE BLACK TAPE TO WRAP THEM.just take your time and be careful.also rember to put the rubber ring gasket around the opening of tank before reinstalling.

Do I have to do all that with the fuel pump if I'm only changing the fuel filter?

I thought you were changing the fuel pump,if you just changing the fuel filter,all you have to do is get under the rear of the car,the fuel filter is on the fuel rail close to the gas tank.5 minute job.

In a 2.0 4 cylinder the fuel filter is in the gas tank with the pope how do you change the fuel filter with that one question not answer

Papa, your way of heating the shrink tubing makes it an extremely dangerous job. You shouldn't be handing out such advice as using an open flame in an area where there could be fuel vapors present. That is an absolutely ignorant thing to do. You can simply use a soldering iron and a heat gun as described in this video, https://youtu.be/zfZB- iuuCm0?si=-S6BnwndiZUHGrGs or you can used crimp tubing to make your splice. Just because you are willing to do something a certain way does mean it's acceptable to tell others to do the same thing. Another thing is that there is a tool which you should be able to rent from most auto parts suppliers, such as AutoZone, which is designed to act as a wrench when unscrewing the retainer ring from the top of the fuel pump assembly. There is no reason to tell someone to use a hammer and screwdriver to tap this metal ring off of the tank. Doing so could potentially cause sparks which could ignite fuel vapors which may cause an explosion. As before, just because you are willing to do something a certain way doesn't mean it's ok to tell someone else to do it the same way, at least not without giving them a proper warning of potential consequences of doing it that way. Anyhow, in response to the original question: I may be too late to be of help to you, but maybe someone else will find this useful. The in-tank fuel filter is part of the fuel pump assembly. You will have to remove the fuel pump to gain access to it. Depending on how many miles you have put on your current fuel pump, you may wish to just replace the entire assembly including the fuel pump. If the pump is relatively new, they do offer the filter separately from the pump, but with the amount of work involved, you may want to just spend the extra money to replace the entire assembly. The following link provides instructions for the removal and replacement of the fuel pump assembly. https://youtu.be/9kv3aAWfdTg?si=38ZPg8OkSp2QE8eI This is for replacing the entire assembly on a 2005-2006 spectra, but the final generation of the spectra included models from 2005-2009, so it should be just as helpful as they didn't make any major changes to this aspect of their cars. Also, this guy uses a screwdriver and hammer to remove the ring, do so at your own risk. As I previously stated, they make a tool for that which will significantly reduce the risk of explosion. Attached image is a detailed step by step instructional guide on how to rebuild the fuel pump assembly from my copy of the Haynes repair manual for Kia sephia/spectra from 1994-2004. It should suffice for a 2008 as well. The following link is for troubleshooting any problems you may have after replacing the fuel pump assembly or rebuilding it if you should choose to do so. https://youtu.be/m3YkVlLAa-0?si=NJj0Qzef42K2f9W9 The following link I am including as a bonus for just in case it may resolve the issue as it is possible that other people may see this thread thinking they have a similar issue with their in-tank fuel filter or possibly their fuel regulator and it may actually be as simple as a faulty fuel pump relay. https://youtu.be/o2q3S_lEkak?si=zbwxWcvvcunYD-nQ

The previous composite image didn't turn out as legible as I had hoped.

And here's the second page.