2006 mercury milan gas leak
 

My car smells a lot like gas driving running and parked I've already replaced fuel cap. I removed the wheel nd wheel well covers to reveal the tank nd everything seems fine although I noticed the mufflers had a tiny screwdriver like hole on both sides where it is leaking fumes before the actual muffler tip but does not smell anything like the gas smell can anybody help me out??

Most gasoline operated vehicles have a charcoal canister that captures gasoline vapors and routes them into the engine at the right time and conditions to be burned and not allowed to be released to the atmosphere. Sometimes components in the system malfunction and vapors get out.Usually the system will illuminate the check engine lite to notify of an emissions problem.There can also be a pinhole leak where small amounts of fuel get out and the odor can be recognized . A thorough check should be done to make sure an unsafe condition does not exist.

1. The hole(s) in the muffler are normal. They allow the water that is created from the catalyst system to drain out so that the muffler won't rot out (burnt hydrocarbons & water = acidic water) from the inside out.

2. Is the fuel smell more noticeable when the tank is 1/2 or more full? If it is, you could have a leak at the seam of the fuel tank. Look for any fuel staining on the bottom of the tank. May have to remove a cover to see.