Wastegate questions
 

I am a Cummins guy so my knowledge of PSDs is very limited. My mom has an 02 F350 4x2. I have helped her to do some very basis upgrades; a cold air intake and a 4" turbo back exhaust. Her mileage and power have gone down. When I rode in her truck it sounds like the wastegate is opening up under normal driving conditions. With a Ford it is electronic unlike a Cummins which is mechanical. Is there some reason it would do this? Is so how do I fix it?

Tightn up the waistgate rod. I wire tied mine shut 42lbs of boost!

You can't hear the wastegate opening......

I think you can hear if the wastegate opens it is a fluttery exhaust noise isn't it? maybe not the gate itself but the dump off.

The best way to put it is that once the truck gets to speed you can hear what sounds like an air hose with a leek where the turbo is. It sounds like a valve opens then it starts. It also does not start until you are at speed. I checked all of the intercooler boots and everything else I can think of for a leek.

The turbocharger makes weird noises. When you put on an air filter setup that allows these noises to become apparent, it's not uncommon to think that there's a problem.

But, you cannot hear the wastegate opening.

You would have to see how much boost you are getting. I had a bad actuator and when I would pull hard it would dump off the boost and sound like an exhaust leak :hellox:

WHS

More then likely you are hearing an over active EBPV (Exhaust Back Pressure Valve) opening and closing... You will NEVER EVER hear a wastegate on a 7.3 diesel...

Sounds to me like you have leaking up pipes...

http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/41...600x600Q85.jpg

Climb up on the motor and look behind the turbo, you will see these up pipes... Look for soot coming out from around them.

Replace as necessary.

You will NEVER... NOT EVER... hear a wastegate on a 7.3...

Thank you I will check that out. Would this also cause a loss of power and lower mpg?

Without a doubt!