how to check 'water pump belt drive'?
 

hi. 06 tuscon is overheating. gauge goes into the red after a mile & stays there. checked coolant, fan runs. manual suggests checking the 'water pump drive belt'. i've been all over the net looking for where this is. assuming this is different than the timing belt, which i can see outside the engine cover. that's the only belt i see without removing the engine cover! help? thanks.

On my Elantra, the timing belt drives the water pump
And the timing cover must be removed to see it.

I don't believe removing the timing belt cover will help you any.
Since it is driven by the timing belt and the engine runs
Would tend to believe the pump is being driven
Whether it is pushing coolant through the system would not be visible there

Instead, I would start the engine (cold)
And, remove radiator cap), watch the the coolant in the radiator if possible flow
Would also check to see if replacing the thermostat is easier or not

Good luck