Engines ›

Ford Barra 240T engine: known problems

Used in 2 guides · 3984cc petrol · 8 known problems

Displacement
3984cc
Layout
I6 turbo
Fuel
petrol

Known problems8

Everything our guides list for the variants with this engine: the engine itself plus the gearbox and ancillaries it's paired with. Each shows which cars it's listed for.

High
BTR 4-speed auto failure (BA Turbo)
The 4-speed cannot handle 450Nm long-term. Slipping under boost, harsh shifts, total failure. Almost every BA XR6 Turbo on 4AT has been rebuilt or converted by now.
Fix: ZF 6-speed swap ($4000+) is the popular fix. Heavy-duty rebuild with upgraded valve body and clutches another option. Pre-purchase: any sign of harsh shifting = walk away or budget for trans work.
From 80-150k km · ~$2500-5000
Listed for: Ford Falcon BA / BF
High
Coil packs (shared with NA Barra)
Same coil pack failure pattern as NA Barra but turbo's heat accelerates wear.
Fix: Replace set, use quality coils, inspect plugs every 40k.
From 80-150k km · ~$300-600
Listed for: Ford Falcon BA / BF
High
Turbo oil-feed line starvation / turbo failure
The factory turbo oil-feed banjo bolt contains a small mesh filter and restrictor that clogs with oil sludge, starving the turbo of oil and destroying it - it can happen even on cars with a good service history.
Fix: Remove/clean or delete the banjo filter and fit an upgraded oil-feed line; use quality oil and change it on time. Many owners do this preventively.
Any (often 100k-200k km) · ~$1500-3500
Listed for: Ford Falcon Ute BA-FG
High
Abused / over-tuned engine wear
Hard-tuned or launched XR6 Turbos can suffer cracked pistons, spun bearings or stretched chains. The bottom end is strong but not bulletproof against big boost and abuse.
Fix: Compression/leak-down test pre-purchase, scan for past tunes, prefer a documented stock or conservatively-tuned car.
Varies · ~$5000-12000 (rebuild)
Listed for: Ford Falcon Ute BA-FG
Medium
Boost solenoid / wastegate actuator wear
Original Garrett GT3582R wastegate actuator and solenoid develop boost control issues — boost creep, surging, overboost limp mode.
Fix: Replacement OEM actuator or aftermarket adjustable. Boost solenoid clean or replace. Many fit a manual boost controller for tuneability.
From 100k+ km · ~$200-500
Listed for: Ford Falcon BA / BF
Medium
Diff backlash and crown wheel wear
M86 rear diff develops backlash and noise under load. Tuned/launched examples worst.
Fix: Diff rebuild with new bearings and shims. Upgraded M86 LSD available. Some upgrade to a 9-inch for tuned applications.
From 150k+ km · ~$1000-2500
Listed for: Ford Falcon BA / BF
Medium
Boost-control solenoid and intercooler piping leaks
The boost-control solenoid and intercooler hoses/clamps perish, causing boost faults, limp mode or whistling leaks.
Fix: Replace solenoid and intercooler piping/clamps; upgraded silicone hoses are common.
From 120k+ km · ~$150-600
Listed for: Ford Falcon Ute BA-FG
Low
Oil pan gasket leak
Oil pan gasket weeps oil over time.
Fix: Replacement gasket. Subframe loosen required — not a quick DIY.
From 150k+ km · ~$300-600
Listed for: Ford Falcon BA / BF

Cars with the Barra 240T2

Ford Falcon BA / BF
2002-2008 · 4.0L Barra 240T / 245T turbo I6 (XR6 Turbo / F6)
Value
Ford Falcon Ute BA-FG
2002-2016 · 4.0L Barra Turbo petrol I6 (XR6 Turbo, 240T/245T/270T)
Value

From the FlamingCars guides for these cars. Specs are shown only where the guides agree and the value is verified.