Tahoe & Suburban The power, space, and brutal towing ability make the Tahoe and its longer sibling, the Suburban, arguably the best full size SUV's on the market today.

2013 Chevrolet Suburban
Platform: GMT 400, 800, 900

Buying an '04 5.3, couple concerns

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old August 20th, 2021, 9:29 PM
  #1  
CF Beginner
Thread Starter
 
marleysbeard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Buying an '04 5.3, couple concerns

Hey all, I'm looking at buying an '04 Tahoe, its the 5.3 4wd with z71 package. It has 160k miles. It accelerated very well and turned well, none of the gauges indicated a problem but I have a couple concerns that I wanted to run by people that know better.

1. The engine compartment, hood and front fenders felt really hot. Obviously its hot out and he had driven several miles but I just wanted to clarify if its normal for it to put out that much heat. The gauge didn't reflect overheating and no smell, smoke or steam.
2. It didn't sound bad, no knocks and didn't seem to rev high (idled well) but it did sound like a bit of a pulse to the engine with a slight change in tone(?) every 5 seconds or so when idling (with AC on btw).

There are a few smaller issues but nothing I can't handle, mostly cosmetic but I wanted to make sure the above weren't indicative of a more serious problem.

Really appreciate any insight yall can provide. Not very mechanically inclined so I apologize if these are obvious. TIA
Old August 21st, 2021, 8:30 AM
  #2  
CF Pro Member
 
repairman54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 992
Received 163 Likes on 152 Posts
Default

You probably noticed the a/c cycling which will change engine sound at idle.
If temp gauge was normal then temp is fine, hood will be hot.
Old August 21st, 2021, 10:19 AM
  #3  
CF Beginner
Thread Starter
 
marleysbeard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by repairman54
You probably noticed the a/c cycling which will change engine sound at idle.
If temp gauge was normal then temp is fine, hood will be hot.
I thought as much. Just didn't expect the fenders to be that hot but I've never owned a V8 so that could be part of it. Thanks
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dlarracey1
1999 - 2006 (GMT800)
8
April 23rd, 2019 8:16 PM
Tekkie24
1999 - 2006 (GMT800)
0
November 8th, 2018 9:57 PM
deerslayer89
Silverado & Fullsize Pick-ups
3
August 17th, 2014 7:21 PM
BLCS
Silverado & Fullsize Pick-ups
1
May 20th, 2014 6:17 PM
Aboutime
Silverado & Fullsize Pick-ups
0
January 3rd, 2011 7:48 AM



Quick Reply: Buying an '04 5.3, couple concerns



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 1:40 PM.