This Toyota Prius came into our Broken Arrow shop for what the customer thought was a simple oil leak.

But once we got into the teardown, we found something more serious: a cracked cylinder head. In the video, you’ll see a close-up of the head on the workbench and the visible damage that was causing the issue.
Even small oil leaks on a hybrid like a Prius can lead to much larger issues if ignored. If you’re losing oil, experiencing overheating, or noticing performance issues, it might be more than a gasket—it could be internal damage.
👉 Watch: This video shows a Toyota Prius engine completely torn down and zooms in on the cracked cylinder head discovered during an oil leak inspection.
Why Do Cylinder Heads Crack?
Cylinder head failure on a Prius is often related to:
- Overheating, often caused by a faulty thermostat or neglected coolant flush
- Oil starvation, from clogged PCV systems or infrequent oil changes
- EGR clogs, which are a common issue on Gen 3 Prius models and can lead to detonation or excessive engine temps
Once the head is compromised, it’s no longer safe to reuse. That’s why timely oil leak repair is so important—it’s not just about keeping the driveway clean.
Related Repairs to Consider
When replacing or repairing a cracked cylinder head, there are several other parts worth inspecting or replacing while the engine is apart:
- Head Gasket Replacement: Mandatory when replacing the head.
- Timing Chain and Components: This job requires removing the timing set—good time to replace worn parts.
- Water Pump Replacement: Critical to the cooling system.
- Seals and Gaskets: Valve cover, cam seals, spark plug tubes—cheap insurance.
- Ignition Coils & Spark Plugs: Misfires can put added stress on a fresh engine repair.
- PCV Valve: Often overlooked and difficult to access—worth doing while it’s apart.
Hybrid Engine Repair You Can Trust
At T Autocare Takedown, we’ve handled many complex Prius repairs, from oil leak diagnostics to complete top-end rebuilds. Whether your Prius needs a timing chain, cylinder head, or just expert Toyota repair service, we’ve got the skills and experience to get it done right.
Schedule Your Prius Repair in Broken Arrow
If you’ve got a Prius that’s leaking oil, overheating, or running rough, don’t wait for it to get worse. Let our team give you an honest, thorough diagnosis.
📞 Call us: (539) 367-3738
📲 Text Us: (539) 352-5816
đź’» Schedule online: autorepairba.com/appointments
📍 Visit us: T Autocare Takedown, 1501 W Detroit St, Broken Arrow, OK 74012