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

 

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