how do you know when your water pump is toast? my car overheats when i drive up hills on highways for like 5 minutes.

 

They only way your water pump could be the problem is if it has been corroded away to nothing. First thing to check is the thermostat. You might as well replace it since it is so cheap. Next check the radiator. Check for hot/cold spots. How does the water look? Is there a lot of ---- floating in it? Check the radiator cap also. MAKE SURE IT IS THE RIGHT ONE and make sure it is working. Make sure to bleed it also.
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nothing is floating in the coolant, it lookes nice and green, i replaced the thermostat already, check for cold/hot spots where on the core of the rad? how do you check the rad cap? the system has been flushed and bled. i wired the fan to be running all the time too. is there any way you can check to see if the coolant is circulating?

 

let the car runn for a bit. Then touch both up and lower rad hoses and feel for heat on the hoses.