Ford Falcon: Blocked factory turbo oil-feed filter kills the turbocharger (XR6 Turbo / F6 only, Barra 240T/270T/310T)
Blocked factory turbo oil-feed filter kills the turbocharger (XR6 Turbo / F6 only, Barra 240T/270T/310T) is a common engine fault on the Ford Falcon on the 2002–2016 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $2,500 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 36 documented faults on the Ford Falcon.
- Vehicle
- Ford Falcon
- Only on
- XR6 Turbo / F6
- Engine
- 4.0L
- Years
- 2002–2016
- Fuel
- petrol
- System
- Engine
What you are looking at
No photograph available
What goes wrong
This one belongs only to the turbocharged Barra cars - XR6 Turbo, F6 and Territory Turbo - and cannot happen on a naturally aspirated Falcon, which has no turbo at all. Oil reaches the turbocharger through a hard factory feed line with a tiny mesh filter and a restrictor built into the fitting. Carbon and sludge from long or missed oil changes clog that filter, oil flow to the turbo bearing drops away, and the bearing and shaft seize. Turbo specialists describe blocked feed filters and lines as the number one cause of XR6 Turbo turbo failure. When the turbo lets go it can push oil and debris back through the intake, so the bill runs well past the turbo itself. There is no recall and no warranty programme: the accepted fix is a braided feed line with a serviceable inline filter, fitted at the same time as the turbo. Service history matters far more than kilometres on these cars.
What you would notice
- Blue-grey smoke from the exhaust when you lift off after a hard pull
- Whining or siren-like noise from the turbo that rises with revs
- Boost falling away, or the car feeling flat at the top end
- Oil misting or wet oily residue around the turbo and intercooler piping
- Oil level dropping noticeably between services
How to check it
Where to look. Turbocharger low on the exhaust side of the inline-six; the oil feed line runs from the engine block up to the turbo centre housing, with the mesh filter and restrictor inside the fitting at the block end.
Confirm first that it really is a turbo car - an XR6 Turbo, F6 or Turbo badge - because a naturally aspirated Falcon does not have this part and this fault cannot apply to it.
Ask for the full service history and count the oil changes, because this failure is caused by long or skipped oil changes far more than by age, so a thin history is the warning sign rather than the odometer.
Start it from cold and listen at the front of the car for a whine or siren note that rises smoothly with revs and sits apart from the normal turbo whoosh.
On the test drive accelerate hard in second or third, then lift off completely and watch the mirror, or have someone follow you: a puff of blue-grey smoke on the overrun means oil is getting past the turbo seals.
Look at the intercooler pipe joints and around the turbo for wet oil or a fine oily mist.
Ask whether an aftermarket oil feed line with an inline filter has been fitted, and whether the turbo has ever been replaced or rebuilt - an honest seller will have the invoice.
Ask whether the car has ever been tuned or had its boost raised.
If a workshop inspection is possible: have a turbo specialist check the turbo shaft for play and inspect the feed line filter.
What it costs to put right
$2,500 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “How often has the oil been changed, and do you have the receipts?”
- “Has the turbo ever been replaced or rebuilt?”
- “Has an upgraded oil feed line with an inline filter been fitted?”
- “Has the car ever been tuned or had its boost turned up?”
Now check the Ford Falcon you are actually looking at
Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.
Where this comes from
- TurbochargersPlus 'Ford Falcon XR6 GT3582r Barra Turbo Problems & Upgrades'
- MotoringBox 'Barra Turbo Oil Feed Line - Every Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo Needs This RIGHT NOW!'
- GryphonTek 'XR6 Turbo Oil Feed Return Line Kit BA BF FG'
- Demon Pro Parts DPP turbo oil drain and Gen2 oil feed line kit listing (BA/BF/FG/F6)
Ford Falcon buyer questions
Is blocked factory turbo oil-feed filter kills the turbocharger (xr6 turbo / f6 only, barra 240t/270t/310t) serious on a Ford Falcon?
We rate it critical and common on the Ford Falcon. This one belongs only to the turbocharged Barra cars - XR6 Turbo, F6 and Territory Turbo - and cannot happen on a naturally aspirated Falcon, which has no turbo at all. Oil reaches the turbocharger through a hard factory feed line with a tiny mesh filter and a restrictor built into the fitting. Carbon and sludge from long or missed oil changes clog that filter, oil flow to the turbo bearing drops away, and the bearing and shaft seize. Turbo specialists describe blocked feed filters and lines as the number one cause of XR6 Turbo turbo failure. When the turbo lets go it can push oil and debris back through the intake, so the bill runs well past the turbo itself. There is no recall and no warranty programme: the accepted fix is a braided feed line with a serviceable inline filter, fitted at the same time as the turbo. Service history matters far more than kilometres on these cars.
How much does it cost to fix on a Ford Falcon?
$2,500 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.
Which Ford Falcon years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 2002–2016 Ford Falcon. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.
How do I check for it before I buy?
Confirm first that it really is a turbo car - an XR6 Turbo, F6 or Turbo badge - because a naturally aspirated Falcon does not have this part and this fault cannot apply to it. Ask for the full service history and count the oil changes, because this failure is caused by long or skipped oil changes far more than by age, so a thin history is the warning sign rather than the odometer. Start it from cold and listen at the front of the car for a whine or siren note that rises smoothly with revs and sits apart from the normal turbo whoosh. On the test drive accelerate hard in second or third, then lift off completely and watch the mirror, or have someone follow you: a puff of blue-grey smoke on the overrun means oil is getting past the turbo seals. Look at the intercooler pipe joints and around the turbo for wet oil or a fine oily mist. Ask whether an aftermarket oil feed line with an inline filter has been fitted, and whether the turbo has ever been replaced or rebuilt - an honest seller will have the invoice. Ask whether the car has ever been tuned or had its boost raised. If a workshop inspection is possible: have a turbo specialist check the turbo shaft for play and inspect the feed line filter. Look here: Turbocharger low on the exhaust side of the inline-six; the oil feed line runs from the engine block up to the turbo centre housing, with the mesh filter and restrictor inside the fitting at the block end.