helpful bob replied: "Here's my suggestion to gain experience go to a big do it yourself auto wreckers and take out a couple of heater cores bec it is a huge job and the book states about 9 hrs for a shop to do it. I've done several heater cores and really few vehicles are designed to make it easy to do , plus there maybe a shortcut you can use but I doubt it on that vehicle. If you do decide to install a used one you can get them tested at some of the rad shops or auto wreckers for about 20 to 30 bucks and if you ask me that's worth the extra bit of cash to know it's a good heater core. To me unless the vehicle has low mileage or is in great shape and you plan on keeping several years it's not worth spending the big bucks on a new one or the 9hrs of labour. Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way keep in mind that a few different things can make it seem that a heater core is bad and it's not bad at all. No1 check the two small hoses goes to the heater core under the hood , one of them should get hot once engine is warmed up and full heat is on.If one of the hoses isn't hot then check antifreeze with antifreeze tester and check the thermostat , plus check for leaks etc. No2 a simple test you can do to check if the heater core has a clog is to reverse the two hoses by switching them around and letting the engine at it's warmed up state with heat on full run awhile , then simply try switching them around again and see if any changes occur. No3 is if the heater core has an air clog in it switching the hoses around for a few mins could help and also you could try to bleed the coolant system many vehicles have bleeder valves. No4 two common failer traits of heater cores is a scent that appears when heat is on and another is a mist or grime that shows up on the inside of windshield.If you've any of these two systems then indeed the heater core is shot and needs replacing. No5 be sure you do get at least two a second shop to diagnose such problems to be sure that it is indeed the heater core at fault here. No6 shop around if purchasing a new core bec prices can tend to really vary and be sure you check the rad shops for prices on them and the labour if needed."

Jay L replied: "have the carpets shampooed and that should fix the problem"