Previous owner thought i needed one, not to sure if i do.Any signs or a bad one?

 

Is it leaking? When they go bad they leak.

 

This^ They typically leak from one or both weep holes.

 

You can also open the radiator cap on the cold car, warm it up to operating temp (cooling fan comes on), and then rev the engine while observing if there is a healthy flow of coolant in the radiator (flow being the purpose of the pump and the result of all properly operating devices in the cooling system). Keep in mind to use caution around an open radiator with scalding hot coolant lest the scalding hot coolant leaps out from said radiator and burns your eyes from their sockets. Also, while you're at it, look for excessive bubbling of exhaust/combustion gasses in the radiator neck, indicating a possible bad headgasket. If in doubt and to be sure you can purchase a block tester from your local autoparts store and test for combustion gasses in the radiator.