So, I'm of a mind to do my own maintenance on my cars if I am able, and a oil change did not seem like it shoulda been this difficult. however this is the first merc motor I've owned and there are some very different things about this one.

getting under the car to take off that plastic plate is kinda a pain, never had something like this on any previous vehicles. Also the oil filter is a rather different design as well, I am use to the canister types that just sorta screw into the side of the block. and I think this is where I went wrong.

So I finally get the plastic plate off and the drain plug out (it was missing the washer, and on very tight, not sure if previous owner or just a bad jiffy lube job) now I unscrew the oil filter, and DOH, I've lost the replacement gaskets that came with my shiny new filter. Oh well, the old ones look good still. yeah, big mistake. Start my car this morning, letting it warm up, I pull outta my parking spot and POP, something made a noise, now my battery fault light is on and I have no power steering. (these cars are very hard to turn without power steering btw) get back into the parking spot and pop the hood.

Oil, so much oil, all over the belt, which had popped off the pulleys, all over the side of the block, pretty much just everywhere. Now I'm standing there wondering how the heck I'm going to get this cleaned up in time to make it to work, its 5:30 am pitch black outside still and freezing. no a good start to a Monday.

as for clean up, will the belt be ok if I clean it up with some soapy water and just wipe down the pulleys or do I need a new belt? Also need to find a kit of Just the gaskets for the filter, the filter is brand new still and looks fine, or should I replace that as well?

Thanks.