Hi,
I changed the spark plugs and the 2 V belts.

I drove a little and didn't pay attention to the water temp gauge. after 10 mins and a long slope, I look at it and it is in the red. (no lights or diode for letting me know??? )

I get off the road and stop the engine. I was told afterwards, I should have let the engine running and bring the heating to the maximum. any input on what to do when engine goes really high in temp?

The water level in the expansion tank is very very low. Here is what it looks like. Some water was leaking when I stopped the engine.



to come back home, I drove down the slope with the engine shut like a stupid noob. it was really hard to steer and brake. I restarted the engine because all of a sudden the brakes would not work anymore.

I got home all right and the only visible damage is this



nothing serious on this picture?

anyways I think I will change the water pump and maybe the radiator. I was told the water pump sucks on the M40 and could create havoc. How do you test your water pump?

EDIT: does this makes sense?: if the water pump is faulty, the water never gets hot and therefore the temp gauge always stays blue?