I have read too many "spun bearing" posts. My 8 month old water pump is leaking and my oil pan has a crack near the drain bolt (I did not do this car came like it. JB Weld keeps it down to a couple drops a day). The pan is getting replaced and I will have to rip into the timing belt and water pump again. With both of these off is there any practicality to replacing the oil pump? Just for maintenance as everyone says this is the culprit of failure? Has 110k on it and runs fine. It is a daily driver with an auto tranny and I do not rev or race.

I'd like to know if these fail because they are beat on or because there is an inherent flaw in the motor. If this will make any difference, I'll change it out too.

Thoughts?