I think using the old sensor is fine. Whatever it is, it needs to have the relearn procedure done if you keep getting the P0300 code. I reset mine a bunch of times while trying to fix it and it always came back.
This explains leak down testing: Leak-down tester - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I would probably only do a leak down test if the compression test doesn't show anything wrong. But, if things are bad enough for the engine to run that badly, you'll probably see problems with the compression test.