you probably put it in backways.... the arrow on the side of the filter points to the flow of gas, not the front of the car.. i had to do a double take on it when replacing mine on a 93 taurus... (same setup on the contour)... get back under the car and look at the arrow again and then look at the hose coming from the fuel tank..... and the hose that goes from the filter to the engine(front of the car)..... real easy to put it in backways.....
