So I get done with finals yesterday and wanted to celebrate by a nice relaxing day of car work, starting with an oil change, but this was waiting for me...



Car had been sitting for ~ 3 days(the odd tracks were probably caused by my creeper), did some searching both on the forums and the car and basically narrowed it down to two culprits: knock sensor or oil filler tube. I think I may have eliminated the oil filler tube because it is practically clean and it seemed as if the leak was coming from just above the front upper spark plug, snapped a photo (apologize for photo, took awhile to get just the right angle & its still not good...)



Can anyone confirm this is what a blown knock sensor looks like? Goo has dripped onto the spark plug cover directly below and its basically made a trail down to the pan

Also, is there enough goo in the knock sensor to cause all that, or do i have another leak? I'm hoping the knock sensor dying caused the goop to pick up grime along the way, hence the mess, but idk...

 

Yeah that's the goo from a popped knock sensor. A new one is very expensive so I replaced mine with a used part.

David

 

Thanks for confirmation!

I'm guessing its still ok to drive assuming I don't run it hard or past 4k rpm?

Is there an aftermarket or other oem knock sensor that will fit thats cheaper? or is used the only way? cause I just looked it up on mazdatrix and yeah.... pricey.

 

I'd buy a used one.