I have a 1999 Ford Super Duty pick up with a 7.3 with a turbo. It has started to lose power and has a slight vibration. It gets around 10 to 11 miles per gallon pulling a 35' living quarters horse trailer loaded. Can some one please help me and let me know way it is starting to lose power and how to tell if the turbo is working or not.

 

That is one hell of a load for the truck and 10-11 MPG isn't bad at all. You most certainly will feel a loss in power with it hooked.

My thoughts are centered around drive pressure leaks at the turbine inlet behind the turbocharger, easily spotted by looking for black soot around the pipe connection near the firewall.

Other than that, only being able to monitor actual boost and operating conditions may give you a clue.

 

I took the truck out this weekend pulling the living quarters horse trailer to Nv. Going on flat road it ran fine but going up the grades the turbo would only kick in some times. How can I find out why the turbo would work some of the times. PLEASE HELP

 

does the turbo have any shaft play?

 

There is no shaft play in the turbo.