Okay, i need someone's help... I don't have the ability to take pictures of my problem right now, so i'm gonna have to describe it the best i can. I'm looking at my belts from the front of the car. I lean forward and look down. Behind the belts there are about 4 little braided hoses that go pretty much towards the passenger side of the engine off into darkness. I look at one of the hoses and it's shredded up from what appears to be the belt (the old one, actually, i just got them replaced. This hose seems to have some kind of metal pipe or something inside of it. I have no idea what it is for but there is a lot of oil around it... perhaps the source of my leak? If anyone can determine what this hose is for, that would be cool. Plus, if i'm gonna fix it... i gotta know what it does, right? It'd be like trying to replace my turbo with a desk fan... just doesn't quite work... thanks

 

I picture would sure help.
What you describe is in the area of the oil metering lines, but they are usually translucent tan semi stiff plastic tubes.
It's possible the P/O substituted braided lines?

 

i'm gonna go take pictures now... the problem is, my hard drive screwed up, so i don't know if i have enough room for my program to get the pictures uploaded... gonna try though

 

From what it sounds like, it's most likely oil-metering lines. Replace that one ASAP and if your budget allows, replace them all. You'll have to pull your UIM to get to 'em.