I recently had my timing belt and water pump replaced. Also, my cylinder head had a valve job done.

The coolant level in my reservoir doesn't seem to move. It always feels cold. The upper radiator hose gets hot. The lower hose is less hot, but it is hot. I tried squeezing the upper hose to see if I could feel flow, but it was too hard to squeeze closed enough to tell.

Took off the radiator cap and saw some flecks of what looks and feels like black silicone sealant floating around at the top.

The car doesn't overheat. It does feel like it is idling a little rough.

How can I tell if the water pump is working properly and if there are no obstructions in my cooling system? Would it cause my rough idle?

Thanks

Did you change the thermostat?

I haven't tried anything yet. Thought I'd seek some input first. Since the car doesn't overheat I assume ther thermostat is working.

The roughness in the idle is erratic and feels like when the alternator is under load. The alternator and water pump run off the same belt so I'm suspicious of the pump.

So how should I check this?

Pumps don't stop pumping, they leak or seize. Maybe someone put on the pump and used too much gasket seal? Maybe your radiator is plugged?

You should be able to see water flow if you take the radiator cap off and run the engine to operating temperature.

In any event, having a loose alternator belt shouldn't make the car run rough. Do you have 13 1/2 volts at the battery under load? If so, there's no problem with the alternator.

If you just changed the timing belt and it runs rough, then I'd suspect they got the timing off when they put on the belt. Remove the top cover and check the sprocket alignment again.

You did the head too? Check the cam sensor. Is the connection good? Did they get the alignment correct when the took off the cam timing chain?

I would change the upper and lower radiator hoses and flush the system because of the black stuff so don't forget new coolant.

I talked to 3 mechanics. One also thought the water pump may not be working. The other two told me if it wasn't working the car would overheat. So, I *guess* it is doing what it is supposed to. I thought perhaps the impeller was loose and convection was what may have been circulating the coolant around. I tried the squeeze test again but I still didn't feel any rush of coolant. I even tried it with the thermostat out.

I replaced the radiator cap which looked like it was starting to leak. I also replaced my worn out alternator and PS belts. While the belts were off, I started the car up for 30 seconds to see if the idle improved, but it didn't so I think I can rule out the pumps and alternator as contributors to my idle problem.

(When I put on the PS -> Water pump belt and gave it a spin, I noticed that it didn't feel like it turned around evenly. Should it? When I turned each pump's pulley one by one they felt okay).

As soon as it warms up outside a bit, I'll check the timing marks.

Anyone know where can I borrow a compression gauge and/or vacuum gauge?

Exactly what kind of valve job did you have done? How many miles are on the car?

My timing belt broke about a month ago. There was valve damage in cylinders 3 and 4. I didn't ask for details so I don't know if it was a 3-angle job or what exactly if that's what you're asking. I had the compression tested today. I don't think the test was done correctly (not at WOT) because the results were 180psi across all 4 cylinders which I later found was low according to my Haynes manual. Plus the guy only cranked the engine for 3-4 seconds each time. Even with the low results, I assume that if there was any valve leakage occuring the results wouldn't be so even.
The timing seems to be okay.

I estimate my car has about 135K miles on it. (The odometer is not working).

Maybe my fuel injectors are dirty or clogged? I've never had a FI service and haven't been using cleaner in the gas over the years. I've gone through 24oz of FI cleaner over the past month but no change. A FI service costs $90. If I add Sea Foam to my tank with a few gallons of gas, would that be just about the same thing? Should I just try cleaning them off-car?

Welp... I noticed that I'm dripping water from my muffler. It was clear and didn't smell like antifreeze and what hits the ground dries up pretty fast so I don't think it is my coolant. Does weather cause this? It was about 65 deg outside when I noticed it.

I also lifted the hood this morning and noticed my coolant reservoir level had gone down to nearly empty. That was the first time I've ever seen it move. I filled that up and I'm gonna keep a close eye on if it changes again just in case I am losing some.