How can I test my water pump?

[jezza16v]

Mk2 8v digi. As above, how can I be sure the water pump is working OK. Temp gauge always reads high (3 different clock sets) but the engine does not seem to overheat. Just thought maybe if the pump wasn't pushing the water through quick enough the temp in the cooling system might not be 'even' and the hottest bit would be where it comes out of the head by the sender (have new oem black sender but reads the same as the old one)? 

[Reasty]

Take the top return hose off the xpansion tank (the small one) then rev the engine,if a stream of water shoots out then the pump is fine,you can donthis with the pipe still connected if you can see in the bottle.

[rubjonny]

have a read of the coolant faq

[jezza16v]

OK, thanks both.