Who do you recommend replacing the heater core? 2000 XJ, I am debating on who to get to replace the heater core, I’m thinking a body shop would be faster because they have more experience removing and putting in dash. Or I can take it to my mechanic he will charge me at least eight hours to do it.

 

If you have a mech you actually trust I would take it there. I have the worst luck with shops, I thought I found one locally I trusted after they fixed my wife's Honda Pilot and turns out he retired, sold the business about a year ago and the guy who bought it is running it into the ground with shoddy work. I typically find multiple things wrong with work done by shops the few time's I've went out on a limb and trusted them.

 

Having a mechanic you trust is worth it's weight in gold. Really! Independent shops have to rely on their reputation to stay in business but today too many shops just look at the bottom line, how much can I make off this job, without regard to future business. My mechanic got his start by catering to older folks who needed someone they could trust to fix their cars and do inspections properly. This guy has never had to advertise and he gets so much business he has to make appointments, but he'll do emergency repairs whenever he can fit them in. His shop is back off the road with no sign visible, but everybody knows where he is. He's also a classic car and hotrod gearhead who has some really cool cars himself. He started his mechanical life working on helicopters in Vietnam, then reopened his father's old shop after he got back. This is the kind of guy who is priceless. He has a bodyman and 2 mechanics working for him, but he's always checking on the work.

I'd say 8 hours is not unreasonable for a heater core install.

 

Where do you live?

 

Upstate NY