I have the same problem on my ford taurus please help
If you have a motor other than the car such as a lawn mower in the trunk it smells. Also if you just got gas it smells.
Because there is gas in it.
You have a gas leak.
Varnish, or in other words it does not smell like gas, it smells almost burnt
probably not you have a gas line leak
Your 1996 Escort might smell like gas when it is not running because of a damaged gas tank or damaged fuel lines. Leaking injectors or a leaking tank can also cause that smell.
because oil is refined into gas
More than likely a leak in the engine compartment somewhere..Especially if you turn the heat on and can smell you can be sure its coming from the front. If its only when the car is running then its probably along the fuel rail somewhere. If you can smell it just as strong when the car is off then its a line and your car probably does not get good gas mileage. start there or take to a mechanic asap! gas is way to expensive now a days!!
It is possible that a car can smell like gas when the heater is turned on for a few reasons. One possible reason that this happens could be a leak in the line.
you probably have a leak that drains your pressure when it sits, and that's what you smell. it is not safe to drive with a fuel leak
There is a fuel leak. http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=S001&UserAction=viewSimpleDiagInfo&Parameters=info