Nissan Repair: Konck sensor Repair on Quest, rod bearings, nissan owners

Question
I have a 1996 Nissan Quest GXE w/ a CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. The diagnostics says the knock sensor needs reapir. The price for the part is $125.00 and the est. labor is 5.5 hrs. since the sensor is located behind the manifold. This service is going to cost $780.00...need expert opinion re hazards on drivability and timing during hot weather. Is the est..overpriced?

Answer
Carina,

If the Quest is throwing the knock sensor code and it has to be replaced I would take it to an independent Nissan shop before I would get taken for $780.  Shop around and ask other Nissan owners in your area if they have a good shop they use.  But, it is a pain in the rear to get the manifold off to get to the sensor and the labor hours are right on.  I would not drive it around too long with the sensor broken due to the possibility of damage to the engine if the engine knocks.  Spark knock can hurt your rod bearings so if it is clattering I would get it fixed pronto.  Now, you could go to Autozone and buy your own scanner for about $65 bucks and reset the code yourself and see if it stays out.  That could buy you some time to get the money together and to find a good shop you trust to do the work.  Also, if you had a really bad load of gas and the engine could not compensate by retarding the timing, until the knock stopped, that you throw the knock sensor code too.  So, check out the possibility of using premium gas and resetting the MIL to see if it stays off before you spend your money.  Plus, the next time a MIL comes on ini any of your cars you can turn it off and read the codes with the scanner.  It is a great tool to have around to make sure people are not ripping you off.