Why do i smell gas outside . my vehicle

First, is this a 4.0L or 5.0L engine? Without a description as to what is meant by "unstable" it is impossible to address. However, as to the "gas" smell there is a couple things that come to mind. I am assuming that you mean a raw gasoline smell and not an exhaust gas smell. If you mean an exhaust gas smell and it is a 5.0L engine you could very well have a cracked exhaust manifold and that most likely on the right side of the engine. If you have a gasoline smell then consider these things. First, if memory serves me correctly (but it's been nearly 20 years ago) I seem to remember a recall on Mountaineers and Explorers of those years for the concern you have. I think the recall had to do with replacing the fuel tank filler neck. But we need to know more details. Is the smell noticed from the inside of the vehicle or from the outside? Is the smell more from the front or the rear of the vehicle? Does it occur more when the tank has been filled? Does it occur more on hot days. Are you "topping-off" the tank when you fill? Is the "check engine" light on. If so what are the DTC's stored in the PCM? First step is to have the entire fuel system inspected for leaks or damaged lines. This includes the fill tube and seals to the tank, the tank itself, the fuel lines to and from the tank, the fuel rail at the engine and its associated fuel injectors, all the evaporative emission lines that lead to the carbon canister. If all that looks good then consider these things. If the fuel tank is "topped-off" when filling the tank this can cause a condition where raw fuel can be forced through the evaporative emission lines into the carbon canister. The carbon canister's purpose is to trap excessive fuel vapor due to thermal expansion of the fuel. The canister should be located in one of the inner front fenders. I think on the left side. These carbon canisters over time can become saturated with fuel vapor and need replacement. I recommend not topping-off the tank when filling. Especially on hot days. When fuel is pumped from the tank in the ground at the gas station the fuel is cold. But when it is pumped into the tank it begins to heat-up causing a great deal of thermal expansion and as a result vaporization. This is where the carbon canister comes in to trap those vapors and stored to be burned later when the vehicle is driven. If the smell is from the rear area from the outside of the vehicle then carefully inspect the fuel fill tube to the tank. If the smell is mostly from the outside and mostly by the front of the vehicle and no raw fuel leaks are present then it is most certainly from the carbon canister. Over time I have learned that the fuel odor emitted from a saturated carbon canister has a unique smell that is somewhat different from a raw fuel smell. If the smell is noticed inside the vehicle then careful inspection of the fuel system under the hood needs to be done. If nothing is found I would suspect the carbon canister. However, all these things I mention can cause a fuel smell both inside and outside the vehicle depending on the ambient conditions and the degree to which the smell is being generated. As an ASE and Ford certified driveability technician for many years I realize the fuel smell concern on Explorer and Mountaineer vehicles of your year can be a difficult concern to diagnose and pinpoint. As such this type of concern is best addressed by an experienced technician. So if no glaring fuel leaks are found I would suspect the evaporative emissions system and a saturated carbon canister. If the system is still working properly and if you don't overfill the tank the problem may correct itself in time as the carbon canister is purged of the excessive fuel vapor it has accumulated. But on the bright side it will keep you from smoking while you drive :)

Gasoline smell Ford Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice

When filling up do you top off the take or stop when the pump shuts off ? Over filling to the point the vapor canister is full of fuel ? Gas tank filler tube is rusted an leaking , Hose for evaporative emissions leaking ? Look under the vehicle at the fuel for a crack vapor canister etc... Your vehicle is a 2002 an these parts don't last for ever . Any warning light's lit on the instrument cluster ? Check engine light etc.... Do you know what a evaporative emissions system is ? It stores fuel vapors instead of venting to the atmosphere .

Have a Dealer take a look at it. Gasoline fumes leaking is flammable as
liquid

gas is a very high evaporative liquid..fumes extremely strong..if overfull it will smell..and if emissions equipment has issues it will smell also.. when the engine gets hot, any gas present will vent off until the engine cools..thats the fuels evaporative nature..still keep an eye out for issues..

This sounds like your evaporative emissions system acting up. Has the check engine light come on? There should be a charcoal cannister that filters the vented air/fumes from the fuel tank. If a vacuum or vapor line is broken, or removed.. or if the charcoal canister is depleted, you'll get the gas smell.

Could be two different problems.
If the check engine light is not on, I would look at the vapor canister for the gas tank. Its usually mounted in the engine compartment.
If you have a small oil leak, the fumes will be sucked into the passenger compartment thru the cowl vents.

Hi Doritelberg, If the fuel consumption of your vehicle has increased or there is any sign of a misfire, I believe that one of the injectors may be leaking. For fuel leakages on fuel injected vehicles, it is better to check while the engine is running as the fuel line is pressurized in that state. It would be helpful to know if the smell started after a fuel filter was replaced and what other symptoms, if any you are experiencing with your vehicle? Regards John

The "cause" would be a fuel system or EVAP system leak. If the fumes are that strong, then I would take the vehicle back to Ford again and make the sevice manager stick his nose in it and then tell you there is no problem....

this sounds like a saturated gas vapor recovery cannister, (part of the evaporative emission control system) have the paper filter on the bottom of the cannister checked blockage, otherwise the fumes can't be sucked out by the emission system on start up purge cycle and u get this gas smell.