wsrivers

Was recently told that my oil pan was bent and as a result there's a leak. As I understand it I will need to change my oil pan and most likely the gasket. My question now is what is a good and or the best oil pan gasket to use and where's a good place to get it from? Is this one of the Lexus parts that I need to get from the dealer or can I go to a local auto parts store? Any advice is appreciated.

nsghtbrwry

What vehicle is this?

The MZ-powered cars (and all Toyota engines I've seen) do not use a rubber or cork gasket, you apply a bead of FIPG (black RTV) to seal. MZ engines have two oil pans, an upper and a lower (you're replacing the lower), so you should take this opportunity to take the upper pan off as well and seal that (same way). Sealing the oil pump would also be a good idea, it's not that much more work.

That being said, there are aftermarket cork gaskets available from Fel-Pro and the like. I wouldn't recommend them...they will never conform to the channels in the pan that were designed to cradle the FIPG, and you'll start leaking again sometime soon. Properly done FIPG sealing should last you 150-200k.