In 2008; I took the engine of my 1999 accent thereto rebuilt.Later the man in charge told me the head didnt look right and asked if I wanted to replace it;I said yes.But when I installed the engine,hardly any oil was reaching the valves head and the car would get to heat when driven. It turned out he had installed a head meant for a diferent type of engine-the oilpassages were wider,causing a loss of presure.I ended up having to send the car to the scrapyard.That place "Perfect Engine"Just made me waste over thousand dollars; I do not recomend them at all read more

My 2003 CRV overheated and the engine was damaged beyond a normal repair. My options were: get a used car ( more expensive than ever before!) , get a new car ( even more expensive with years of payments) , replace the engine with a moderately used one, or fix what I've got. Perfect Engine in downtown Los Angeles took my engine out, rebored all the cylinders, matched all the pistons, replaced the fans, water pump, thermostat, air and oil filters, and WOW- it's like I've got a new car! Linda, the owner, is gracious and easy to talk to. She knows everything about rebuilding an engine because she's been in the business for 40 years. I was told to bring my car in after 500 miles to change the oil and filter. The mechanic took the time to show me things I needed to watch to make sure my engine would continue to work PERFECTLY. They care and I'm very happy to recommend them. read more

My father who is 86 years old had taken his engine to perfect engine to get overhauled. We'll make a long story short they ended losing the cam shaft and other parts . After 4 months of Linda Miranda stringing my dad along that her mechanic was Sick and couldn't find the part , my dad had to have his engine picked up and taken to another shop that could finish the job . I had to find him another camshaft that cost over 200$ and other parts that were missing .Linda said she would refund my dad but to this day never has . I call this elder abuse ! Taking a elderly man's money and not even producing what he paid for ! At 86 years old with a life threatening condition to put my father under such stress and take his money , then string him along for 4 months is unacceptable! Shame on you Linda ! This place should definitely be made aware of the unprofessional manner in which they handle customers! read more

i have used them for over 30 years I've never had a problem with them , but i drove by there recently and it does seem that they have closed Down, so could someone reply back if you know what happened to Perfect Engine, I've been using them since the 1980's I'm a automotive repair shop owner and nothing but great service from them. read more

BEWARE THIS IS A RIP-OFF OPERATION I paid them $3109 to rebuild a four-cyl Chevy engine. The engine failed in six weeks, they gave me a one-year warranty they did not honor. I took them to small claims court, they did not show up. When I looked up internet reviews on the company, 70% of the reviews were negative. DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR TO THIS COMPANY, YOU WILL REGRET IT. read more

Its a total disappointment .dont trust this place basically stole my parts and have me excuses after 6 ans 1/2 years dont know what to do .they dont finish my engine and dont give me the parts back.im so upset headache .why they treat me like this i paid twice the deposit cuz they lost track amd now they say its been too long ...????!!!! So how s fault is that .totally ridiculous and unprofessional read more

I'm writing another review because at this point this location has turned into a huge disappointment. If my last review was read then as a reader you understand that it is made the customer's responsibility to check up on the status of the repairs being done and if it's finished or not. Well, my husband brought the parts that was needed for the repair to be completed. He was told that the repair would be completed by September 5th. He received a call from Linda informing him that the part was ready on the 5th. My husband's client hadn't given him the money for the part yet and the part and this was told to Linda. On the 6th, the money was received and my husband immediately gave the shop a call one hour before closing time looking to pick up the part. He was told by one of the team members that the part along with the paperwork couldn't be found. He told my husband that he would give him a call back after looking for it. A different team member called back and stated that only one part of his order was found and he can't find the other parts. How is this possible when he just spoke to Linda the day before? Why wasn't the part stored in such a way that it could be found when it's ready for pick up? The team member sounded very stressed as if he didn't know what was going on. He suggested to my husband to call back at 8:30 or so on the 7th to get in touch with Linda to pick up the part. We asked him are they open on Saturdays and he said yes. My husband drove down there instead at about 8:45 am only to find that the shop was closed for the day. Again, lack of communication!! Why suggest that my husband call the next day to arrange a pick up when you're closed on Saturdays. Very bad business!! Due to their lack of communication and organization they complicate the lives of their customers. What a disappointment! read more

Perfect Engine is a family owned and operated garage. Rafael and his staff were awesome at keeping us abreast of the progress that was taking place. My 2005 Chrysler 300-C blew it's Hemi engine at just barely over 100,000 due to an existing problem with these engines that the manufacturer refuses to accept responsibility for. Be warned if you own one. This shop is in historic east LA and has the coolest vintage vibe. There are antique engines, vintage signage and the oil stained concrete floor emits a familiar old time aroma that vintage fans can appreciate. I highly recommend them if you need a new engine in ANY type of car, old or new. I'm from Orange County but it was well worth the drive to have something so important done right. In addition, their prices can't be beat!! Thanks Perfect Engine!! read more

I ordered a couple of sets of pistons from Perfect Engine. They arrived a week later and they were for a turbo car, not for a naturally aspirated like I ordered. The person on the phone said that she sent me the pistons that I ordered and I responded with absolutely no way did I order the wrong pistons. I made an order sheet for these pistons and I read it right off the order sheet. She also claimed that the warehouse told her that those were the right pistons for a non turbo car. I've only been doing these particular cars for 43 years and I know exactly what I'm doing and I"m very careful about things I say, especially when ordering parts. I sent them back and waited 10 days then called them because I hadn't heard from them. Come to find out the pistons I ordered are not available at this time through them. They said they were waiting for the warehouse to contact them and #1 see if they were going to take them back and #2 to see if they were going to give them a FULL refund. I told her that regardless of what the warehouse does, that PE is responsible to give me a full refund regardless. Another week+ goes by and they still hadn't called me so I called them again. The warehouse gave them a full refund so I asked where my money was. The lady that answers the phone (if it gets answered at all) said that she didn't have my CC info so I gave it to her again and she said that it will get refunded the next business day. I informed her that the refund should include the shipping costs as well. She said no way and eventually she gave in and agreed to refund me the shipping costs at least to me but not both ways. Anyway, the 3rd business day has come and gone and they're not answering the phones which happens a lot and they don't have voice mail during business hours. I still haven't received a refund and am thoroughly fed up with them. I was sent the wrong pistons for the same model of car by the same company back in 2015 and that time they said that the warehouse claimed they sent the right pistons that time as well. I got a full refund back then but wasn't dealing with the woman, I was dealing with Raphael that time and he knew the difference in the 2 types of pistons when I told him what I ordered. Still waiting for my 400.00 so best advice I can give is stay way away from this company. There are a lot better ones out there. I'll NEVER do business with this one again. I'll be getting my pistons etc from other places. read more

It is really difficult to find anyone to rebuild an engine in the LA area...but keep looking. I originally brought my engine in due to a blown head gasket and related issues.....well $3000 later, 1 year, and about 500 miles I have an engine that runs worse. The number of issue I have is too long to list, but needless to say I wish I was still running with a blown head gasket. When I brought the car in I was told the rebuild, install etc would take about 2 weeks, I didn't get my vehicle back for 2-3 months....to make an extremely long, frustrating story short I brought it back 3-4 different times, all for weeks at a time due to over-heating issues. I have about 500 miles on the new engine, and it will only run properly on flat level ground at 55mph or less. On one return occasion I had my vehicle in their shop for a few weeks only to learn the only thing they did was replace my radiator fluid and a thermostat....why this takes almost three weeks I'm not sure. Later I was told my Catalytic Converter was causing the issues, I replaced parts did everything I was told and nothing. Needless to say I have a vehicle that can not drive up a hill without burning up....this was after I brought the vehicle in and they did "extensive" test drives up hills with no issues....my test was driving up a hill at 55 mph and watching the needle redline in about 30 seconds. I have since found another general shop in Long Beach and the mechanic has told me about 10 problems he has found, he was amazed the engine was rebuilt as it ran so badly, they re-used so many old, cheap parts, I was shocked... Raphael is a nice guy, he was trying to help but I think the complete ineptitude of his engine rebuilders is what led to the issues. I have a big repair bill now, but I am confident I will finally have a working vehicle... (Update: I wrote this review a few months ago, and have replaced even more parts, including the top end of engine (manifold, carb etc) still having issues. I have even rebuilt transmission and replaced just about everything except the engine. It still runs horribly, and can not drive up a hill. I am now looking for a new shop or new engine....avoid this place. read more

I was truly disappointed. Paid a bunch of money to get my engine rebuilt, and when they put it back together -- the vacuum lines where not connected correctly. Not connecting the vacuum lines correctly caused my newly rebuilt engine to mis-fire. I have to take my vehicle to someone else to connect the lines correctly to get it to pass the California Smog Inspection. read more

Perfect engine really painted a positive picture for me on their website and in person. My engine needed rebuilding so I took it here. The price was right and they promised great service since they still work on old cars. I got the engine back and it was smoking! I hoped in time the rings will set in but they never did. I took the engine back out and sent the (rebuilt) engine back in. Second time around the engine was not smoking but the head was warped. I spent so much time and money into this engine and I was not satisfied at all. I would recommend another shop. Beware!!!! read more

I needed to find a place that rebuilds engines and came across perfect engines. I called and they asked me some questions said it would cost about $3500 to repair so I said ok. I spoke with a Linda and she said yes bring it down never told me what time or anything. Once I had a tow truck that came to take it there they called me and said they were closing and nobody ever told me what time they close or anything and couldn't even offer to wait. I was so excited I thought I finally found a place and then they did that to me and I lost $100 to the tow truck place. Lost a customer today read more

Got some machine work done on my Honda motor about 1.5 years ago. Bored and honed all 4 cylinders, hot tanked my block, resurfaced block deck, pressed in pistons to rods, took my engine head for a vacuum/pressure test for leaks and inspection but it was ok like expected. Resurfaced head deck,resurfaced flywheel. I had the motor put back together by my personal highly experience mechanic who didn't see a single problem with the machine work done. Prices are good, quality of work is good and they work fast! Thanks Perfect Engine! By the way I've now been running fresh motor for about a year now without problems. :) read more

They were awesome. I had my engine rebuilt and installed. Took time but they worked with me make my truck come to life thanks.

I needed an engine rebuilt for a 1965 Ford Mustang that I am restoring and after much research went to Perfect Engine. I can't vouch for the work because I haven't gotten to the point of firing up the engine, which is the only reason I don't give them 5 stars. The service alone made me happy. In the past few months I have become very used to so-so and indifferent service. Rafael made me feel welcome and the engine was completed in a couple of weeks...too fast, in fact, since I wasn't able to take it back. Rafael told me no problem, they would hold the engine for me with no charge for rent. When my car was finally ready, they were happy to deliver it for what I thought was too low of a price, $20 for a 30 mile one-way delivery. At all times they were cheerful, helpful, and courteous. I would not hesitate to use them again. read more

They rebuilt the engine on my 2002 4x4 Ford Explorer. Excellent work and very friendly staff. I am very satisfied. read more

Beware of Rafael! I took my engine in to get rebuilt but later he told me he had to take my heads to another shop because he couldn't put them together, and the cost was going to be passed on to me. In my opinion if you run engine rebuild machine shop you shouldn't tell your customers that you can't put a head back together or have your customers eat the cost for your incompetence. After only getting the a short block back from them I had to take my engine to another machine shop so that they can rebuild the heads and finish up his work. I would not recommend this machine shop to anyone. read more

I brought our BMW 330i over to Perfect Engine a few years ago...it was leaking oil really bad and running rough (we had it towed over to their shop). After about a week, everything was fixed, the car ran great and we were happy to drive our 330 again! read more

I had a 2003 Eclipse Spyder GTS with a V6 24 Valve Engine taken in to Perfect Engine in August of 2013 which is an interference engine where the pistons and valves share the same space. My pistons hit my valves and they were all bent at which the car had 145000 miles at the time the engine failed. The car was literally dead and did not start up at all. Rafael at Perfect Engine came through by ordering new pistons and valves and I ordered a Full Remanufactured Engine to renew the entire long block. Even the crankshaft was matched and balanced. A couple of weeks in the shop at Perfect Engine and my car was reborn again, not only that but there is actually better compression ( more horsepower) than stock. The only problem I encountered was that the spark plug gap was not checked but this was more my fault because I put them in with the wrong gap before I took it in to the shop. Although the cost of the repair was expensive, you should only do this if the car has sentimental value or you have lots of money to burn, this is one of the best places to take your car to get the engine running better than new if it has died. The difference from rebuilding to remanufacturing is huge, in a rebuilt engine, you replace only what is broken. In a remanufactured engine, you replace everything from the engine from the very top of the short block, all the way to the oil pan to make it new and it receives updates from the manufacturer to make it better than when it was new. You should go with a remanufactured engine instead of rebuilding because the chances of you having problems is much higher with a rebuilt engine whereas you have no problems with a remanufactured engine. To all the people who are dissapointed, you probably should have ordered a remanufactured engine and done your homework to know the difference between a remanufactured engine and a rebuilt engine. If you haven't then it's your own fault for not knowing. I took my car from Los Angeles to San Francisco and did not encounter any problems. They got the car running great with a remanufactured NEW engine. read more

I first tried Perfect Engine for my for my 1995 Ford F-150 work truck several years ago, and Rafael delivered on quote and on time. After many miles cleaning pools, it was time to rebuild again, and Perfect Engine gave me my baby back with an engine that runs as well as it looks, really good. Then they went the extra mile helping me by finding a no longer available smog part, the people at Perfect Engine know customer service. read more

I took my 1965 Cadillac to perfect engine about 6 years ago. I paid a bit more for my engine rebuild than one of my friends did for his at another shop, plus mine took longer (about 2 weeks longer than anticipated. But I haven't had any problems since the rebuild and my friend has had trouble with his. I believe that I got the quality that I paid for. This car has been driven to Lancaster, Bakersfield and San Diego multiple times with no issues. They did great work on my engine. read more

I own a 1995 Toyota Camry, which has been well cared for and is clean inside and out. In November 2010, the head gasket blew on the engine. I decided I wanted to keep the car and to rebuild the engine. I researched local rebuild shops in Los Angeles and I found Perfect Engine on San Pedro Street. The reason I chose Perfect Engine is because they have been in business a long time, are family owned and operated and they gave me a good price to do the work. Rebuilding engine's in-house is a small part of Perfect Engine's business, with the bigger part of their business is rebuilding parts that mechanics leave with them and then the mechanic picks up and brings the rebuild back to their shop to put it back together for the customer. I decided to have Perfect Engine rebuild my engine in-house, because I thought that if there was a problem, I had one place to deal with, not two. I have to say that my experience with Perfect Engine was far from Perfect. They took an extra week to rebuild the engine, which amounted to one month that they had the car. When I got my car back, I noticed it had various oil leaks. I would take the car back to them and they would try to fix it under the one year warranty. When I say try to fix it, even though they worked on the fixing the leak, it still had leaks. Additionally, I was driving the car under the warranty and it went dead in traffic and I could not restart it. I had to tow the car to Perfect Engine and I found out it was a defective distributor cap, which was replaced. During this time with the warranty repairs, I wrote a letter to the owner of Perfect Engine saying that I appreciated them working on my car, but I was concerned about the quality of the workmanship. The owner never addressed my letter; in fact, I found it lying on my front seat when I came in to pickup my car. What has me the most upset with my experience with Perfect Engine is that six months out of warranty and with just 11,000 miles on the rebuild, the engine blew another head gasket, which was my biggest fear. Coolant was getting into the engine and the car never overheated, which is the primary reason of head gasket failure. This is also an expensive repair, which costs around $1,500 to fix. Perfect Engine told me that they try and rebuild engines for 100,000 miles. The car was out of warranty for six months and it was unreasonable for me to experience the pre-mature engine failure at this time. I called Perfect Engine and they told me that they stood behind their work and since the car was out of warranty, there would be no concessions on their part. I called and spoke with two head gasket mechanics at two different Toyota dealerships and they both told me that Perfect Engine did not do a good job rebuilding the engine. If I had to do this all over again, I would not have rebuilt the car's engine and would have just sold it with the initial bad head gasket as a "mechanic's special." I do not recommend anyone having Perfect Engine rebuild their car's engine based on my experience with them. read more

My grandfather recently had his 89 Ford 150 4.9L engine removed, remanufactured and installed at Perfect Engine. It is an old school shop, where quality, honesty, and communication count. Probably not the most inexpensive shop in town, but quality for dollar I guarantee you will not be able to find any place better. It was a pleasure doing business with them and will do so in the future .....if needed. Thank you Rafael. read more