1. overheating problems.
-my car is overheating, the meter is jumping up and down. Checked the resivor, its completely empty. I dont know if this is normal or not..how do i know when to add more radiator fluid and where do i add it in?

2.Car makes a scratching/scraping noise when going uphill last about rom 0-30mph. then stops. when at a complete stop, i accelerate and i hear a loud pop coming from my motor.

3. power steering pump is also leaking slowly.

i know very little about cars and just started getting into it because this is my first car i have ever owned. please go easy on me

 

1.radiator cap and make sure to bleed and pressure test the system

 

You add more radiator fluid (or water during emergency) as soon as the temperature rises more than normal. Temperature only rises when you have no radiator fluid in the radiator to keep the engine cool. If you are losing coolant and if you don't see any leaks on the floor, then replace the radiator cap as said above. Also replace the reservoir cap as they leak too in some cases. After filling up the coolant, make sure your radiator and reservoir are dry. Drive around the block. Come back and check around the caps. If you see coolant or wetness, then you need to replace them. Also check the bottom ground to see if any leaks.

The reason why your meter was jumping up and down is because when you drive, the engine cool itself with the outside air. That is only temporary. If you keep driving like that, engine will die. You are or will be experiencing a lot of leaks from many places due to the overheat. Seals start to fail because of the heat. So replace them.

Search for how to bleed or burp the radiator. Follow the procedure. Don't just add the coolant after it's empty. There will be bubbles. They block coolant circulation.