Took my ES300 to AAMCO for the free check engine light test. Said they had to do a smoke test to determine what is wrong with the fuel system.

Car runs fine. Said it will be OK until inspection time.

smoke test was $180 for two hours of work.

What is a "Smoke test"?

Did they say what the check showed? What code(s) were stored? Was your check engine light even on when you brought it in?

A smoke test, I believe, is to test the integrity of the evaporative emissions control system where smoke is pumped into the car's evap system and checked for leaks by watching for smoke. Why it costs $180 is amazing...results are pretty fast, not 2 hrs long...the bums. That is why I like to do my own work when possible, but I don't have a smoke generator, YET.