Testing your water pump???

[Wildfire]

In my quest to get the car to run cooler, before I take the plunge into alloy rad territory, how does one test your water pump is working properly?

Much to the annoyance of my neighbours, I have bled the system tonight and it's still running warm, so it's a new thermostat at the weekend, aftewr that it's anybody's guess.

[spend]

You should be able to feel the top hose pressurize and flow when the stat opens, early cars you can simply look under the expansion cap to see the water flowing. Theres not much to go wrong with the pump itself, its not like the impeller blades wear out churning all the water.. Crud on the blades / in the pipes / galleries / stat can deter flow but more likely belt slippage I'd guess.

Pumps are changed only because the seal starts leaking in my experience?

[Wildfire]

Ah cool. Well it's turning as there is a lot of water movement when I rev the car and have a head of water above the swirl pot.

I have had in the past the impeller come away from the shaft and dying bearings in a mini water pump, although this may be more to do with sub standard parts.

If the new 'stat doesn't fix things this weekend, I'll have to look at the rad.

I think it's still the original.