Car developed a fairly strong gas smell few days ago. Just when running, and my wife could smell it as I pulled up into driveway yesterday, she had just gotten outta her car. Had car running and looked and sniffed around engine bay, nothing. Can not see anything leaking from under car that looks like gas. Though, did have a lot of condensation dripping off of my exhaust pipes when I was looking under it today, especially from around the connection of headers to the y-pipe. Maybe and exhaust leak, which could also explain the random backfire I have been getting recently?? Need to try and get under it and tighten the bolts, see how that works.

 

If not fuel leak maybe the evap charcoal canister has a hose loose or broken. Only way for fumes it get out of tank is through the canister and you should never smell fuel if system is working. Gas cap should not let any fumes out, it acts like a one-way lets air in-only valve, sniff around it to verify caps OK.. If it's canister odor would be coming from rear. Or the hose from canister to the solenoid. I'm assuming you still have the stock evap setup installed. Some pics ref shbox.com http://shbox.com/1/1996_evap.jpg and http://shbox.com/1/evap_system.jpg

 

Thanks! I havent had a chance to get to looking at it yet. Hope its a fairly simple fix(but with my luck it wont be)!!