Sound to me like you're overheating! That coolant system has been neglected. It is, so very important. If not in proper working order, is the number one killer of the 4.7 2UZ VVT or NON VVT..
I'll address water temp gauge first. When coolant level gets to low. We can get a false reading on the dash. If reservoir empty and you can't see in radiator. You are to low. The temp gauge reads liquid and sit high in the system. It does not read air temp well, from all we can tell. I've no doubt, from all you've said, you've been overheating. I'll bet if radiator has not been replace or fins cleaned. That it's fins are clogged.
You say hose looked good and you think PO replaced. Well, all hose need close inspection. Just popping hood, the untrained eye won't see much. If engine cleaned and sprayed with a shin, they all look good!. I must pull cover and feel, pinch and pull hoses in many cases, before I know for sure. In the 06-07 I'm changing, in most ALL. Both PCV hoses, the vane pump idle up vacuum lines. If one or more of the EVAP hoses, have ever been disconnected. They also very often need replacing. All vacuum lines need to be in very good working order. Vacuum leak can be in other area as well. They will cause engine to run lean (hot)
As far as fuel pump. You were smart to replace it. We have found many VVT with FP issue, which are very difficult to detect. I replace 5- 6 this year. I'm also seeing, the most bad FP, in rigs that battery post and clamps aren't cared for properly. It not a bad idea to replace fuel filter & FPR also. Also run cleaner through the gas. Like 44k or Chevron Techron are my go to's.
I use Blue Driver. It allows logging. I read, store and email the data from my iphone.
The VVT 06-07. Has a A.I. pump (air induction pump). This pump can be very loud. That is said to be indicative (loud) of pending failure, IDK. The A.I. runs for about 90 second on cold starts.
The cooling fan is not very loud on cold start up. RPM are high, on cold start up. Higher than non VVT. Then come down as engine warms. About 2 minutes after cold start. I take a rolled up paper sack or even my HP water, and stop the fan blade with either. As coolant warms the radiator, fluid in fan clutches moves. The heat from radiator, heat coil on front of fan clutch. This open valves in the FC. Cooling fan than gets loud, at this point. I can't stop the blade from spinning with my paper bag or HP water once loud. There are more test, Google it!
My bet; You are overheating and have been since before you first stated smell gas. You may also have fuel leak.
I lost track, of how many coolant services I did in just last three month. I start with cleaning radiator (all 3 rad.) fins. I end with cleaning fins again and again. Even after near 3 hours total time cleaning. I find they need even more cleaning. Dealership don't clean them. They replace them. Which is not bad bad Idea. Cleaning radiator fins is a PM nobody has been doing, that I've seen.
I've a 06LC w/192K I just bought. In reading history I found PO complained of engine temp raising when both front and rear AC on. Toyota Dealership diagnosed with clogged radiator fins. Recommended new OEM radiator, $600 for the US spec Radaitor plus coolant and labor. They should have added...
forum.ih8mud.com
I then tune the engine. This means stopping all vacuum leaks, R&R spark plugs, Denso COP spring, boots & seals. T-body & MAF CLN, Air Filter, PCV service. Battery terminals, LOF and anything I find in engine compartment that needs address.
Transmission fluid and level. All 04-07 are low if no fluid add. The factory fill was determined to be low, toyota has TBS out on this. Flushing all 12qts is always a good thing. I've done on 100 series, up to 350k miles. transmission always run cooler and shift smooth, with fresh fluid and porpely top.
Again get to the basics. 100 series, is a very reliable vehicle. But that does not mean adding a few personal touches, and just putting in gas and drive. They need proper PM.
So far, all but one that came to me this last summer, with this issues just of fuel boiling. Needed the basic put back inline. Except one.
By skid are you referring to bell-pan.The one from transmission crossmember back?
