[Derby]

The knock sensor senses when the mixture is igniting too early or too fast.
When the mixture is burning to fast it could be that the intake air is to hot. (that is after the IC). The compression increases temp also. so temp and pressure make the mixture explosive. A spark should start the burning of the mixture in a controlled way. slowly and controlled.
But with rising temp, the mixture somewhere else in the cil could start buring also without the touch of the flamefront. that selfburning thingy burns faster then the rest. and will be more of a explosion then a fire.

This explosion gives a vibriation, other then the other vibrations in the engine (valves hitting the valve seats). the sensor is triggered by a special freqency. the freq of the explosion. This signal is given to the ecu and this unit desides if there is any action needed. If knock is detected, the ignition timing is retarded.

And ignition timing is a very good tool to change torque.

So a broken knock sensor and/or Air temp sensor do affect power.

Derby