When i turn on oven all i smell is gas i cleaned with a wire brush still nothing. also is the pilot light always have to be on and can you see it when oven is off

Probably the pilot light feed is blocked. Clean the jets.

I have a 2003 maytag performa stove and i turn the oven on but sometimes it takes a while to come on and smells like gas so and lately i cant get the flames going. i see that the pilot glows but still know flame coming from tubes.

Good chance there is no shut off for the pilot by its self. Of course one should have been installed at the back where the line comes into the house. If you are smelling gas please turn off your gas until you find the problem.

Most of these new fangled gas stove feature a silicone carbide ignitor to light the oven. Older stoves used a standing pilot light. As silicone carbide ignitor age a little they tend to get weak and fail to open the gas safety vave sufficiently enough for ignition. Take a look

If you need further help, reach me via phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/dan_73bbd84fe1d95b61

wire brush the oven pilot light orifix flame may be lessened due to carbon buildup then when oven lights its convextion pulls the pilot flame away from thermal coupling with shuts off gas (in case wind blows it out, it will STOP the GAS FLOWING. if the pilot full size (near 3/4 inch tall) then just try to position the thermal coupling nearer the flame (not right on it)

Chances are that a little cleaning with a wire brush is all that is needed. When the ignitors get splattered repeatedly with grease they don't work as well. I would call the local hardware store and ask them who does this type of repair work in the area.

Get the oven checked out by a professional, if you have a gas leak you can easily blow up the entire house and you with it. I think you have a faulty gas valve based on what you wrote

It sounds like somebody bypassed the flame sensor on the oven, no oven should ever release gas for more than a couple seconds if there is no ignition. This oven is very dangerous and should not be used until it is looked at by a professional.

You probably need an oven igniter, it's weak. Remove oven bottom and find caged unit attached to burner. Replace this oven igniter. The 2 wires can go either way.

The solution to this problem depends on whether the oven is electric or gas. Electric oven. If your electric oven's bake or broil element isn't working properly, either it isn't receiving electric power or the element or the oven control may need to be replaced. In many cases, the wiring to the elements can be burnt or broken. 1) Be sure the controls are set on the proper setting. 2) Be sure the stove is plugged in and/or check the circuit breaker or fuse that serves that circuit. 3) Call an appliance repairperson or replace the element yourself as follows. 4) Unplug the oven and let any hot parts cool. 5) Unscrew the mounting screws that secure the element bracket to the oven and pull out the element far enough to access its terminals. Note which wires are attached to each of the terminals, then disconnect the wires (pull off the wire clips or unscrew the wires). 6) Take the element to a parts dealer, along with your oven's model and serial number, and buy a replacement (preferably the manufacturer's suggested replacement part). 7) Reverse the process to reinstall. Gas oven. When a gas oven doesn't get hot, it generally means that it isn't receiving gas, the gas valve isn't distributing gas to the oven burner, or the ignition system -- either an electronic ignition or pilot light -- isn't working properly. A common problem with ovens that have a pilot light is that the pilot light has gone out. NOTE: Gas ranges younger than 10 years old have a sophisticated fault code system that governs their ignition. Always call an approved warranty service provider to handle problems with these ranges. Here's how to troubleshoot your range: 1) Be sure the controls are set on the proper setting. 2) Be sure the stove is plugged in and/or check the circuit breaker or fuse that serves that circuit. 3) Check the gas valve to be sure the gas supply is turned on (also make sure the house's main gas valve is turned on). 4) On a stove with a pilot light, make sure the pilot light is burning. If it isn't, re-light as discussed HERE, or in your owner's manual. 5) Adjust the pilot flame (older stoves only). 6) Turn off the gas and unplug the stove (or turn off its circuit at the electrical panel). 7) Clean out the oven burner ports, using a stiff wire. 8) Plug in the stove (or turn on its circuit) and turn the gas back on. Re-light the pilot (if it has one). 9) If the oven still doesn't work, call an appliance repairperson.