POWERSTROKE-P0299-73 serious Power Stroke ›

Turbocharger Underboost

The POWERSTROKE-P0299-73 (Power Stroke) diesel fault code means: Turbocharger Underboost. This is a serious severity code.

Unverified. We could not confirm this code's definition against freely available manufacturer documentation, so treat the meaning, severity and fix guidance on this page as unconfirmed. Check it against the manufacturer's service information for your exact model and serial range before acting on it. This page is kept out of search engines for that reason, and we are working through this family manual by manual.

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Keep driving?
Short distances only
DIY difficulty
intermediate
Estimated cost
$50-$1,500 for boot, up-pipe, or wastegate repairs; more if the turbocharger itself is replaced
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What Are the Symptoms of POWERSTROKE-P0299-73?

  • Low power / sluggish acceleration
  • Black or excessive smoke under load
  • Check Engine Light
  • Boost leak hiss, turbo whistle, or chuffing

What Causes POWERSTROKE-P0299-73? (Most Likely First)

  • Blown or loose intercooler (CAC) boot -- the most common boost-loss cause Very Likely
  • Cracked or leaking turbo up-pipes Likely
  • Wastegate problem (1999-2003 wastegated turbo) Likely
  • Restricted air filter or intake leak Possible
  • Failed or sticking turbocharger Possible
  • EBP (exhaust back pressure) sensor or tube fault feeding the PCM bad data Possible

Can I Still Drive with POWERSTROKE-P0299-73?

Short distances only. POWERSTROKE-P0299-73 is rated serious severity. Keep trips short and get it diagnosed soon rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is P0299 on a 7.3L Power Stroke?

On the 7.3L Power Stroke (1994.5-2003), a turbo underboost condition is normally reported as Ford-specific code P1247 (Turbo Boost Pressure Low) or P1248 (Boost Pressure Not Detected) rather than the generic OBD-II P0299, which Ford used mainly on the later VGT engines (6.0L/6.4L/6.7L). If your scanner shows P0299 on a 7.3L, treat it as an underboost/boost-leak complaint and check the same things: a blown intercooler (CAC) boot, cracked up-pipes, and the wastegate. Pull P1247/P1248 and freeze-frame data to confirm what set.

Can I drive with P0299 on my Power Stroke?

Only drive short distances to get to a repair facility. The truck will be down on power, and continued operation under load can worsen the underlying problem.

How much does it cost to fix?

Most boost-loss fixes on a 7.3L are inexpensive: a re-clamped or replaced intercooler boot can be under $100, and up-pipe or wastegate work runs into the few-hundred-dollar range. Replacing the turbocharger itself is the high end. Diagnostic time alone runs $100-$180 at most independent diesel shops.

Mechanics Guide Step-by-step diagnosis

How Do You Diagnose POWERSTROKE-P0299-73?

  1. Note: the 7.3L PCM normally flags low boost as Ford-specific P1247 (Boost Pressure Low) or P1248 (Boost Pressure Not Detected) rather than the generic P0299 -- scan for those and read freeze-frame data to confirm what actually set.

  2. Smoke- or pressure-test the intake from the turbo through the intercooler (CAC) to the intake manifold. A popped CAC boot causes an instant boost-loss complaint.

  3. Inspect the intercooler boots at both the hot and cold side for splits or loose clamps.

  4. Check the up-pipes for cracks or blown donut gaskets.

  5. On 1999-2003 trucks, verify the wastegate operates and is not stuck.

  6. Check the EBP sensor and its tube for soot plugging if boost reads normal but a code persists.

Which Vehicles Commonly Get POWERSTROKE-P0299-73?

  • 1994.5-1997 Ford F-250/F-350 7.3L Power Stroke
  • 1999-2003 Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty 7.3L Power Stroke
  • 1999-2003 Ford F-450/F-550 Super Duty 7.3L Power Stroke
  • 1994.5-2003 Ford E-350/E-450 7.3L Power Stroke
  • 2000-2003 Ford Excursion 7.3L Power Stroke

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