floor sprayer not working Bissell proheater plus 1698-1?

I have been working on this now for a week. Have replaced the pump, suction good, arm sprayer seems to be getting water atleast. Let me ask a question after I hook this back together can I start the motor with out the housing case on it to see if water and cleaning solution are geting to where they need to go and do I have to put my hand over and of the holes as if the casing was on? another q is on the water pump 3 hole L, middle and right where the belt goes, am I thinking correct left is tank water and mixture into pump, right is heated water travel into pump and top in water out or how does this work. I think I need to understand the water travel for both floor and arm and I am not seeing something correct. I think I need to understand the basics first then work from there to get this working right.