A couple months ago I threw the P0299 code. Reference this thread (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-worth-it.html) where I got it all cleaned up. FYI, I didn't install any of the wheels mentioned in that thread. I followed dieseltechron's youtube video for cleaning it. There's pictures in that thread of the unison ring and what the turbo looked like inside when cleaning. Everything went back together good and nothing seemed to stick or hang up so I didn't replace the unison ring or vanes. When I first had it all back together the turbo lag was gone. Now, the turbo lag is back and I'm getting the P0299 code again. But I only get the code when I'm towing the camper, about 10K. It won't throw it when not towing, but the turbo lag is there at times even when not towing.

I don't have time to pull things apart again for a while, but I'm wondering if this means new turbo or if you guys think replacing the ring and/or the vanes would fix it? Could this be the solenoid on the turbo possibly?

If I do have to replace the turbo, I've heard there's a slight lag with the Power Max if you're not tuned. How bad is the lag? Will I notice a difference with the Power Max vs. putting in a new stock turbo since I have no tunes or injector upgrades? Just trying to figure out if I'll see any benefits from the extra cost?

 

Are you driving the truck every day? Are you driving it hard when driving or does it sit until it's time to tow?

It may be that the cleaning was great, but undone by sitting or not exercising the vanes enough.

 

I don't drive it every day, couple days a week. When I do drive it to work, I get to sit in stop and go traffic a lot of the drive, so I don't get to drive it hard all the time. I'm also plagued with 30mph zones and stop lights everywhere I seem to go. I try to hit it hard when I can, but I can't a lot of the time.

It does seem to act along the lines you're suggesting though. If I've not been able to drive like I stole for a while and it's had a lot of gramma type driving, then lag is bad. But, after I hit WOT a couple times, the lag lessens. Cleans it out I guess. Is this kind of a common thing with these turbos?

 

I would say for these trucks yes. Idling for periods of time, not up to full temp, not exercising the vanes to full motion all contribute to stuck vanes... and of course sitting for periods of time, high humidity all contribute to reduced motion.

 

When I had the same problem, I had the unison ring and turbo cleaned. It was locked on tight and had to be pried off. It lasted only a short time and I started pulling the P0299's again when pulling.
It would moan and groan when first starting cold, again a sign for me to fix.
This time I pulled it apart and replaced the unison ring and cleaned up the vanes, etc. Again, it needed to be pried off.
I'm not sure but I believe the new unison rings are just a thousandth or two larger diameter to help avoid the sticking issue. The new one went on without any friction or sticking.
All has gone well since the change.
I'd start with a new unison ring first.

 

After driving for 300 miles towing the camper down I-95 at 70 MPH we stopped at a rest area. When I got back on the highway I saw the CEL on, checked it on the Scan Gauge, P0299. I cleared the light at the next fueling stop and continued to Disney, drove back to NC and almost 2 months later hasn't come back on. Seems to pop on once a year.

 

Yep, it starts that way, knowing the parameters for popping a 0299 must be met for a few seconds, usually happens when heavy pulling or at high speeds.

It can be deceiving, especially when the vanes are stuck open a bit and you seem to get plenty of power. You will lower the turbo psi and it feels like it can't pull like before, however, you won't be dangerously close to create a problem, overboosting either.

 

It's 4lbs or more and for 5 seconds or more.... that turns the light on.

 

Just blew the turbo on my 1996 F350 diesel . Where is the best place to purchase a new turbo . ?