any way to tell if water pump or thermostat is bad?

[AudiSeefu]

My 02 overheated about a week ago so I had it towed to my house. today, I started it up and drove it around my neighborhood. It got to normal temp within 6 minutes or so of just cruising. It is pretty chilly so it does not typically warm up that fast. so I drove it back to my house and parked it. Is there any way to test if it is a water pump or thermostat problem?

[FrankerX]

How is the coolant level? In what condition is the coolant? Is it dirty? The thermostats are electronic and will throw codes if not operating properly. How many miles are on your car? It may be time for a timing belt, tensioner, idler pulley, water pump service. If your coolant is low check for leaks, or check the top of your oil cap and dipstick for sludge to see if it's burning in the engine. Do you smell coolant when your hearter is on?

[AudiSeefu]

coolant level was low. I have 46k on my car. Heater blows cold air even when car is at normal or above normal temp. My car does have a coolant leak although I have not found it yet.

[F16HTON]

When the water pump goes bad, the thermostat will not open. The easiest way to tell is to open up the coolant reservoir when the car is hot, if it is not pressurized, then you water pump is most likely bad.

The water pump and timing belt should be replaced at about 70k miles

[diagnosticator]

Fix the coolant leak asap. If the coolant level gets to low, the pump seal will be damaged, among other things.

[AudiSeefu]

thanks guys. i will get on it wednesday when I am off. will update.
between this and the problems on my b5 I am going insane.

[AudiSeefu]

After car gets above normal operating temp I can smell coolant if I get out of the car. When taking off reservoir cap the coolant is boiling over. still no heat from HVAC

[diagnosticator]

After car gets above normal operating temp I can smell coolant if I get out of the car. When taking off reservoir cap the coolant is boiling over. still no heat from HVAC

When you have engine overheating, and no heat from the cabin heater, it is either very low coolant level, or a bad coolant pump.
The coexistence of the two symptom, indicates that there is practically no coolant flowing. The engine is overheating because hot coolant is not circulating to the radiator. The cabin heat is not hot because there is no coolant flow to the heater core. The cabin heater normally receives hot coolant from the engine regardless of the thermostat position, either open or closed. The coolant pump must be replaced. Replace the timing belt at the same time.