Outer Limits 4x4 Board

fan belt been squeeking everynow and then, and today it got really loud... as in people where turning around and looking from 500 mtrs away. Tried spray on fan belt stuff, stopped it for a bit but then started again. Finally got so bad i pulled up and rang NRMA. Well, the reason belt was slipping is cuz the water pump was on her last legs, and by the time they got there, she was goooone. I don't impicitly trust NRMA (had some misguided diagnosis b4) so how can i tell if it is the water pump and not alternator or sumthing, and is there ANY possibilty of fixing the pump. Or just bendover and get a new one? Any1 else had trouble with same?? Can mud make it go prematurely, as i noticed after going offroad sumtimes the belt squeaked a little, but i just thought it was mud/dust on the belt or similar.

cheers

So I take it you aren't leaking coolant everywhere from the pump?? Usually they fail from a pin prick fine hole that is really obvious once you look inside the pump.

Try taking the belt off and see if it's seized- should be easy to turn by hand. A loose belt will also squeal.