I replaced my oil pan gasket about 2k miles ago and accidentally overtightened it (I'm too cheap to buy a torque wrench). It leaks, but only a very small amount; it doesn't drip but I can see oil on both the top and bottom of the gasket, but only in the back side; the front is perfectly dry. I'm planning on fixing it during my next oil change, can I reuse the gasket or do I need a new one?

 

I'd go with a new one just to be sure.

 

Do you know where to get one of the gaskets with the spacing washers built in? A quick search online and I couldn't find it...

 

I've had bad luck with torque wrenches on oil pan bolts, esp the clicker type. The wrench was maladjusted and I ended up snapping a bolt head off into the oil pump, was a fail for sure.

Some people I know say they don't even use torque wrenches on the oil pan, just using their hand. In my experience clicker wrenches can fail if set very low. Use an electric type or just use your hand.

 

If he overtightened it yes use a new one. I did the same thing not once but twice in a row and everytime it deformed the gasket making it bulge. If you tighten it and it bulges out excessively then you know its too tight.

 

I used a 3/8" drive beam type torque wrench (pictured below). It doesn't ratchet, and you have to read the dial while turning, but really all you need to do is get one bolt tightened with the torque wrench, then get a feel for how tight they need to be using a regular ratchet. It is important to tighten them in two or three steps, so the pan goes up even all the way around. I used it to install the transmission pan on my truck, and everything turned out well. I use it for installing spark plugs too. I have a 1/2" drive for more torque.

 

Also...
I'm pretty sure 2002 4-cyl didn't have an oil-pan gasket. Just used sealant at the factory. Yes, you can buy gaskets, but that's just because people want to use them.

 

It came with an RTV gasket, but due to the more finicky nature and increased difficulty of getting it set right, I'd rather just use silicone. Thanks for all the input!