Hmm... I think i'll try that, but even after cleaning it up with sawdust, there'* a lot of oil. I don't have one of those rolling bench type things so it'* going to be nasty lying on oil.

Are you sure it'* the filter, because why would it just start leaking when i started it, and also kick out the belt?

Check the oil pressure sending unit too. It'* above the oil filter.

alright... super newbie question. it'* so n00b that i can't find an answer by searching...

i've never changed my oil before so i don't know where the oil filter / oil pressure sending unit is underneath the car. do i need to jack up my car to do this? or can i just find it by looking under? also, the car is in the driveway which is slanted, if i buy jack stands, is it safe to work underneath on a slanted driveway?

I edited my previous post. An old email took me there instead of to the end here. The oil filter has to come off from the bottom. It is on the back of the motor, right next to the belt. As I mentioned in my edit, for whatever reason, if the oil filter decides to let go, it spews all over the belt, causing it to slip and track off. The pool of oil is usually half the size of the car before you can get it shut off.
Okay, I will embarrass myself and tell the story... I was changing oil and servicing my 93 late into the night for a trip. When I pulled the old filter off, I didn't see that the OLD rubber ring stuck to the assembly. So when I screwed the new one on, there were TWO rings and the pressure blew out between the 2 rings. I guess these things happen for a reason, like being able to share it with somebody that might have the same problem.
If you have not had the oil filter changed recently, it may have just come loose.
You will need to clean ALL the oil off the pulleys before you put a new belt on. Otherwise, you will have another ruined belt.
Don't you have a neighbor or friend that will loan you a jack and jack stand?
Oh, just remembered... use a "redneck creeper;" a big piece of cardboard!

Thanks for all the help everyone...

So... I created a redneck creeper, and got under the car, and I took a look to see what damage I could find. I was able to unscrew the oil filter without jacking the car, and the oil filter'* seal seems like it was warped a bit. Not much oil leaked out the filter, and I currently have no oil filter on it and nothing is leaking... Does it mean the engine is bone dry of oil? I also used a hand mirror to check if there was any damage on where the filter mounted and it didn't seem like there was any.

So just a question what is the best way to clean the pulley and belts of the oil? Soap and water? Pumice scrub? The belt does not seem to be damaged so I think I will try remounting it...

Only rely on the dipstick to tell how much oil is left in there. Most of it should be in the oil pan.
I cannot tell from the picture for sure, but it looks like the right side of the seal is sort of dorked up. A good seal should be completely flat.
Get you a good brand filter and stick a new one back on. I like to wet my finger in some clean oil and smear a very thin coat on the seal ring before putting it back on. This keeps the seal from gripping too much as it is turned, easier to tighten and won't get "dorked."

What to use to clean? Maybe we will get some input here.
Maybe start out with engine cleaner and then finish up with a mild solvent. Anything that will clean without leaving a film... something like isopropyl alcohol for the belt.

Hope that helps.

hey all... so, after having cleaning up the mess from the last time i started the engine, i put over two bottles of oil into the engine and put a new oil filter... there didn't seem to be any visible leaks as oil stayed in the engine. i didn't put back the belt yet as i wanted to see if the engine would run smoothly first.

i started the engine, it started fine, and ran for about 3 seconds, and then i heard something like a "pfft" air sound, and then I saw the oil pressure drop. i looked under the car, and sure enough, i had a big puddle of oil on my driveway, AGAIN, for me to clean up (luckily i had some cardboard under the car).

I don't think the oil came out from the filter this time, (or possibly the first time), as oil was dripping from around the oil pan, possibly redirected from somewhere else (a leaking gasket of some sort?).

i think i am very close to getting rid of the bonny. i have other important things i need to be doing, and this beloved car i've known for 15 years since i was a kid finally needs to go... we have 3 cars already for 4 people, and with these exorbitant prices for gas, i think it'* okay to carpool a bit more.

thanks all for the help, much is appreciated!

This is a shot in the dark but when my oil pressure sending unit went on my 93 it poured a steady stream of oil out. I thought I cracked the block or something, but it was just the sending unit. If you pull the pass. wheel off and the sending unit will be straight through just above the axle towards the firewall. I would check that first.

I agree. Sorry the filter didn't fix it. I hadn't replied because I was trying to find a post with a picture of the sending unit, since it is a little different from most (cylindrical and a few inches long). Also, I have seen where the gasket for the oil FILTER can cause something similar.
Here is a picture with Oil Pressure sending unit on the left


In the same area, the oil filter assembly gasket is a possibility.

when my sending unit went it did something very similar.... definitely worth a check :?