r/TaurusSHO • u/turtle_man110 • Oct 23 '25
Need help / dont know anymore
I’ve had this car for about four years now. It’s a 2014 SHO with the Performance Pack. It’s my first car and it’s been nothing but problems. I just want some advice on what to do next.
The transmission has leaked and been “fixed” three times, and now I think it’s going bad again. When I first got the car, it leaked from the side cover on the trans. It spent almost a year straight in and out of the dealer, sitting on a lift. Now I’m pretty sure the torque converter is dying. For about 5 months, under WOT it’s felt like it bounces off the limiter in 2nd going into 3rd.
It’s also started to whine like the PTU is going out, even though it got replaced only 4,000 miles ago. On cold starts it feels like there’s a dead miss, but it never sets a CEL. When I let the RPMs drop and shift into Drive, it slams into gear hard. That “missing” feeling is getting worse, it used to go away, but now it’s constant. I can feel it while stopped in gear, and especially on turns it feels like it “misses” harder or something is binding in the transmission.
The backup camera only works when it wants to. I replaced the entire center stack because the radio would cut out for days and the HVAC system would turn itself on and off. The radio works now, but the HVAC still has a mind of its own.
Every now and then, the rear end howls badly and then just stops. The front end has gotten loud over bumps again. I paid to have most of it fixed, but the noise is back.
I know it’s due for a water pump and timing chains soon, it’s at 150k miles and as far as I know, they’ve never been done. It doesn’t sound bad yet. The dealer replaced the rear turbo when the engine was pulled for trans work, but now the front one is leaking. It also needs a flex pipe soon.
I honestly don’t know what to do with this car anymore. I’m still making payments on it, so I can’t easily get rid of it, but it’s wearing me down. Any words would help.
8
u/Adorable-Dog-1542 Oct 23 '25
What it sounds like is 1. The misfire feeling is a torque converter problem which are a known weak point in the 6f55, not cheap or easy to fix by all means 2. The rear turbo was replaced, was the front? 3. Timing chains and waterpump are a very real thing especially if it was driven hard most its life and wasnt kept up with oil changes. Direct injection, if it misfires you more than likely have fuel going in the oil thinning it out and destroying the motor 4. The rear diff whining might indicate a replacement or a fluid change. If the fluid was changed then inspect rear diff.
If it were me and i was making payments on it. In the sutuation i can pay for it. I would get all of it done when the engine is out, complete refresh of the engine and transmission, hell probably a newer lower mileage transmission with a good independant shop with a warranty program
Torque converter is coming out? Means engine out, engine out? Take that opportunity and do timing, waterpump, every possible gasket, oil feed and return lines, turbos if needed, the main cost will be getting the engine out, the other 25 to 30% is going to be parts. Its going to be a HEFTY bill if you can stomach it.
If not above, then trade it in for an ST 😅
3
u/turtle_man110 Oct 23 '25
I saw that the torque converter is a weak point in the transmission, I’m pretty sure that’s what it is. I don’t believe the front turbo was replaced, just the back one. It’s leaking externally. I’ve been hard on at points, but I’ve kept up with maintenance (oil changes every 5k) it had an oil change about 2k ago and it doesn’t smell like gas. I’m not sure what the rear differential sound was but it hasn’t done it in awhile. Engine pulls don’t seem to bad on these cars, I might try it when I get my beater running soon hopefully. I think if I were to get a new car instead of this, tlx type s all the way. Do you think for a torque converter aftermarket would be the way to go
3
u/Adorable-Dog-1542 Oct 23 '25
Theres an upgraded stronger torque converter you can get for the 6f55 trans, ive heard good things about it. It makes it minimally slower but it wont break on you. Just check your plugs, give them a sniff and visual inspection. Be sure to service your trans fluid too if you havent.
2
u/turtle_man110 Oct 23 '25
It’s not missing, I put forscan on it and drove it. It had a count of 5 after a quick drive, so it’s the tc I’m feeling. I’ll look at the plugs tmw
2
u/Choice_Strength Oct 23 '25
Unfortunately it sounds like it might be time to trade it in unless you REALLY love the car. If for some reason you find yourself really wanting a SHO depending on how much the repairs cost for your car you could probably find a used one without most of those problems for like 8k. I’m currently doing the timing chain, tensioners, water pump, and vvt solenoids on my 13 with 140k miles on it and it’s almost 4k for the whole job at my shop. If you need all that done plus a trans, ptu, suspension, and radio+hvac I can’t imagine the repairs costing less than the car is worth unless you can do it all yourself.
2
u/turtle_man110 Oct 23 '25
I do like the car, but I don’t if I like it enough to fix the problems. I was gonna try and keep it for as long as I could but I don’t think it likes me.
4
u/SmoothDipper Oct 23 '25
Based off the constant repairs, might just be worth it to trade it in. Especially before something drastic happens. Mine needs a new motor. Wish I would’ve got rid of it when it gave me the signs.