When i shut my Ford escape off, i sometimes smell gas. It went away for quite awhile but now it is back. I checked the gas cap and looked underneath but did not see any gas. Any help will be appreciated. The smell seems to come from underneath and not from the engine.

 

If,,,,,,,,,,,,,your vehicle was driven over a lot of salty roads during the winter, that salt dust gets trapped between the steel lines and the brackets that secure them.
Every time that salt get wet it gets activated and goes to work oxidizing (rusting) the steel lines and can cause leaks in brake and fuel lines.
Sometimes you can see the leak when you first shut the engine down because the pressure is over 60 lbs. Gasoline odors usually mean gas is in the area and best if checked ASAP.

 

you were right on. Thanks for your help.