2002 Cavalier, NO CHECK ENGINE

2002 Cavalier, 77000 miles, Standard Shift, 2.2L Most Basic Engine

Three weeks ago my car, after warming up, would not accelerate right away, it would not do anything for a second and then jerk forward and go. After talking to the Auto parts store, they said it was a the fuel filter that needed to be replaced (and now the fuel lines too because it rusted to the filter, thanks GM, good quality parts). No check engine lights come on ever. When this problem starts to occur, which is sporratic at best, it will stall when I come to a stop light and and come to a rest with the clutch pressed in. It will only do it once per driving period, the rest of the time, the engine will rev when im pressing the clutch from 8-900 to 16-1800 and bounce up and down until it calms down to normal idle around 8-900. Again, no check engine light comes on. I am vigilant about adding injector cleaner every 4000 miles when I change the oil (which is fully synthetic, not a problem is it?).

Is this an accurate assesment of the problem?

2nd. How do I get the green plastic clip off of the fuel filter, my first attempt nearly broke the clip off. Someone told me there was a tool that I needed.