Knock problem need help

[Norcalrallyist]

I have a knocking problem I cant get rid of. Under WOT I was getting about 40 with stock timing and 10psi. So I retarded the timing little by little and got the knock down to about 20. I have new plugs wires the car runs great otherwise. I looked at the knock sensor and there are no visable signs of failure (black goo is what I have heard to look for) so I was thinking of replacing it but I wanted to see if anyone else had any ideas before I spent 100 on a stupid sensor that might not be the problem etc.

Also if I end up getting the sensor does anyone have a source cheaper than buying from a parts store?

 

[Groomz]

If its never been replaced, its 14 years old, so swapping it out is a good thing.

Do your lifters tick? Even if you can't hear it in the car, they may be making enough of a racket to be heard by the knock microphone. New lifters are around 128$ for a set ( check diamond star motorsport, they have a sale on them right now ). Install is easy also.

http://www.vfaq.com/mods/lifters.html

Has reseting the ECU made a difference at all? Might want to try that out too just for kicks. Any timing belt parts that are making alot of noise ( of old age ) can be heard as knock also. Thats only in a really bad case anyway. Good luck.

 

[Norcalrallyist]

I only get noise from lifters if its cold and low on oil..