I have a 1996 F-350 with a powerstroke diesel 7.3 . When I first start it up it has very little power. You can put it on the floor and it acts like it has no power. But once it warms up it will take off good and have good power. I was just wondering if this normal for a powerstroke?

 

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Does this happen every time you start it, or just the first start of the day? Are you someplace where the outside air temp is below 45 degrees already? It may be the normal operation of the exhaust backpressure valve if it is.

 

It happens when I start it from a cold start or the engine is not at normal operating tempature. Thanks

 

That sounds like the exhaust backpressure system operating normally, however, for it to be normal certain conditions have to be met. The ambient air temp must be below 45 degrees F, and the engine oil temp must be below 167 deg F. If the backpressure valve is operating outside of those conditions there is a malfunction in the system.