I have a 2003 7.3 F-350. I recently had Ford put a new oil pan on. As you well know the motor must be pulled for this. When talking to the mechanic he told me that the wastegate wasn't working as the nipple where the red vaccum line hooks up was rusted off and disconnected. He told me it wouldn't hurt anything to leave it unhooked. He said it was just robbing me of horsepower. I never noticed a difference before or since then until yesterday. I let the truck warm up nice before going to plow some snow. When pulling out the drive it had no power. It took forever to get up to 60. I noticed a few times black smoke leaving the exhaust. I plowed and it seemed fine. There was not much throttle response at all. After dropping the plow it drives better but not up to par. If I mash the pedal the speed slowly increases. I cleaned the air filter and checked for intercooler pipe oddities. I saw nothing that appeared out of ordinary. Can this problem be related to the wastegate? Is there something else I can check? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

i'm learn'n as i go, since this is my first diesel. As for the wastegate, if you unplug the red vacuum line from it, you must cap it off, by means of, plugging it onto one of the band clamps, that secures the intercooler pipes.

 

Could also be your Exhaust Backpressure Valve in your turbo, on the exhaust side. If thats stuck closed or open, can't remember, you get the same symptoms as your saying, no power and mashing on the pedal will get you no where.