Heater not working...

My heater is blowing out cold air in my 92 3.1 lumina. I am assuming it is the heater core, but not sure. I got the car for free, and the person I got it from said it needed to be flushed for the heat to work again (doesn't make sense to me, but I don't know)...Any way to check if the heater core is out? Or, is there something else I could check also?

First open the bleeder(s) on the cooling system and fill it. If coolant is low, or air is trapped, the heater core won't get flow.

Then check the inlet and outlet at the firewall. With the heat on and engine warmed up, they should be about the same temp. If one side is colder, the core is probably hogged up or the heater control valve is broken.

I assume your temp gauge indicates a normal range?

Where is the petcock on the system?? I noticed there is a notice on the radiator support that say "follow recommendations for filling cooling system" what does that mean?

There are bleeder valves on the engine. One on the T-stat housing, the other on the transfer tube near the water pump. You need to open these valves while re-filling the cooling system to ensure that you get all the air out.

Where is that heater control valve?

Anybody????

It would be located somewhere in one of the heater hoses. If you think its not working, try bypassing the valve by splicing the hose together. Anytime you mess with the cooling system, though, keep a close eye on the temperature gauge until you get it properly repaired.

My heater is blowing out cold air in my 92 3.1 lumina. I am assuming it is the heater core, but not sure. I got the car for free, and the person I got it from said it needed to be flushed for the heat to work again (doesn't make sense to me, but I don't know)...Any way to check if the heater core is out? Or, is there something else I could check also?

Could be an air pocket or other blockage in the heat core. Or, the valve that lets coolant into the core may not be working properly.