When I broke off the knock sensor wire, I couldn't keep the car
running. It would idle then die, or let me pump the gas and rev it up,
then it would die. When I soldered the sensor back together it ran
pretty well, but made a knock every so often.

I think the mechanic heard this knock too. I bought a new sensor ($77),
and we'll install it tomorrow. Mine had no plastic housing and was just
metal and prongs.

When I last spoke with him the compression check was 175, 175, 165 with
one more to go.

I hope the new sensor helps and he says the engine has more life.

Just FYI, this mechanic is a friend of my neighbor who does this in his
spare time and has many excellent references. When he mentioned the
knock, it was when he came to pick up the car and trailer it to his
house to fix it for me. It was a quick assessment.

(fingers crossed)

Jamie