The heater core is the first place water/coolant goes from the water pump. With no heat the first thought is typically low coolant. From there you either have a water pump issue, or a blocked heater core.
As to your lower hose: I believe it would be "loose" until the thermostat opened up and coolant began to flow through the radiator (assuming normal system ops). Perhaps that event had not yet occured or is not.
Do you have a separate rear heat system? If so, is there any heat there? If installed it is a separate heater core, and if it had heat it might point to a blocked front core.
As to water pump pictures, here is a link for autozone for water pump replacement. Might help
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d801d3042.jsp
You could be losing coolant at the water pump. Mine ('96 3.8L) was leaking significantly around the water pump shaft (seal failed). Replacing it is your only reasonable course if that is the case. If it is leaking there, coolant can easily find itself on the exhaust manifold from that point and "steam".
Hope some of that is helpful. Others will add I'm sure.