I have a '96 2.3L, 165K miles on it. For the past 6 months or so, whenever I have a full tank of gas (or close to full), I can smell gasoline whenever I stand near the truck. Its driving me nuts because I can't find a leak or sign of gas anywhere! I've checked the gas lines, fuel filter, and the gas tank itself and I don't see any sign of it.

Weird thing is, I never seem to notice the smell when the tank isn't full.

 

stop spilling gas on your pants when you are filling up...

 

most likely its the same thing that happened to my 3rd gen. the top of the fuel pump was all rusted and there was tons and tons of pin holes in it... just replaced the fuel pump and good to go

 

sorry to dig this thread up, but after dealing with this smell for over 2 years, i finally figured out it was the fuel filler neck. It was cracked all around the base of it where it clamps onto the gas tank. Found a new one on amazon.com for $45 (all the local stores wanted around $150-200!). Smell is gone now.

 

Mine was also the vacuum line to the purge valve on top of the tank.

 

That is awesome! not that it went on for two years, but that you finally found/fixed the problem and posted it!

 

I just experienced the same issue. Mine was leaking from the sending unit lock ring. Parts stores wanted $14.99 and up for this lock ring. Ford dealer sold me just the o-ring for $1.98. I also got 2 new fuel line retaining clips for another $4.88.

 

bingo. lock rings leak and spill fuel
.

 

so i recently bought a 1983 ford ranger xlt and i cannot find a fuel sending unit for it, they have plenty of universal sending units but none of them have the tube running through the sending unit so none of them will work, anyone know where i can get one, iv searched junk yards, jc whitney ebay , everything a can think of and no one has it. :(