I don't have an infared temp meter so I have to come up with something else to get the block temp.
Harbor Freight has them on sale periodically for $50. Mighty handy.
Now, if the pump is ok, water should come out the upper radiator hose even with thermostat in, right?
Que? Flow direction is from top to bottom, and the thermostat is in series with the top hose to the radiator. Trampas' advice is good. If you insist in replacing the pump and it doesn't help, be prepared for some ribbing! It _could_ be bad, but it's highly unlikely. We will apologize profusely if it _is_ bad, and say "Huh. One for the books."
How likely is that the temp sensor is bad? Where is
It happens quite a lot, actually. I'm surprised we all forgot to recommend an independent test of the gauge temperature.
the sensor located that is connected to the gauge? I know there is one right below the thermostat housing and one near the upper radiator hose. I actually disconnected both both the gauge still registered 120C. Is there a third temp sensor that I don't know of?
Look on the side of the head near the middle. Might be kind of buried. -- Jim