Started to detect a faint knock under load. Only at higher revs, definitely up hills. I swapped tires which has allowed me to hear the knock.

Oil change to Royal Purple 15/40 made an enormous difference. Can barely detect the engine at idle now. But at speed the knock is still there. I have yet to pull the old filter apart to check whats in there.

I'm considering oil pump.. eek. Knock sensors. Plugs/wires.

No codes.

I want to check oil pressure, but read that checking at the oil pressure switch is hard. Can I just install a sandwich plate at the oil filter and hook into that with a harbor freight pressure gauge? Does that work with the oil level, when the car is running? Will the gauge mind being screwed into that location?

Should I suspect my knock sensors, if i don't have any codes, no misfires?

Does the oil pressure test definitively check the oil pump?

Any other thoughts?

 

Yeah, you can use a sandwich plate and gauge to check the pressure (that's what I did). Just be aware that you want to check the oil at idle and 2k rpm when cold, and then again at idle and 2k rpm when hot, which takes 15 or so minutes of driving because the oil heats up slower than the coolant/engine so you might need a helper to actuate the throttle while observing the gauge.

 

My knock under load was an exhaust leak, but more noticeable at slow speed. Could it be wheel or axle related at high speed, or drive shafts?

 

My thought is diffs, drive shaft etc also.

I'm pretty good at servicing my front DS. Flex disc is fairly new. Diffs are good for gear oil.

I want to be certain on oil pressure so I can sleep about that.

How about knock sensors, if i have no codes?

 

Where was your exhaust leak from?

 

Right at the cylinder 2 and 8 head connections.

PS. If you use good gas, the knock sensors are never active because pre-ignition (pinging) is prevented by the high octane gas. So fill up with premium or add an octane booster to eliminate that thought.

 

I’ve had what sounded like an engine knock on a Chevy and Dodge V8 that I used to have. Both “knocks” went away when I tightened up the exhaust manifold bolts.

 

OK, cool.

This weekend I'm checking oil pressure, for piece of mind.

I pulled apart my last oil filter. It's as clean as can be.

I'll investigate the exhaust manifolds. Will be nice if that's it. But hoping I don't run into a stud nightmare.

I'll add some octane booster. I've relocated from NY to S Carolina for this year. The car only ever sees highest octane available. Maybe the gas is not as it seems here?

Will report back.

 

My oil pressure is fine.

Cold idle: 52
Cold 2k: 56
Hot idle: 20
Hot 2k: 50

Adding Octane booster today, see what that does.

Quick look at the exhaust manifold, nothing to see. I need a better working set up than I have currently to diagnose that.

Hell, I doubt I could even change plugs and wires in my building's garage with the tools I have right now.

 

Do the shop-vac/leaf blower exhaust leak test to rule out that as your noise. You shouldn't have an engine knock with that kind of oil pressure and I can almost guarantee it's not a knock sensor pre ignition issue as discos never really have those even with bad sensors