Is there a way to test the output of a water pump?

My '89 Carat with automatic blew the coolant line 
that goes from the side of the thermostat housing 
to the "T"-pipe a week ago (it was 95�F outside, 
here in Texas).
The hose is now replaced, but I'm worried that 
there may have been some factor other than age 
that made the line blow.

The Carat has about 125K miles, and about 10K of those are mine.
The previous owner claimed to have had the engine 
rebuilt, but there's no telling either when that 
was or whether the water pump was replaced.
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bcnu - Grungy  (Houston, TX)  opinions are just that.obviously.
60 dddPanel 69 Bug 89 Carat 90 Vanagon GL (parting out) 05 Jetta Wagon TDI
g r u n g y AT g r u n g y DOT c o m