(T) I ran out of petrol and now my car wont start HELP!!

Hi
I have a Fiat Stilo 2003 and the other day i went out to the shop in it (It started fine)and noticed that my brother that had lent it the day before had not put any fuel in it.
I keep about 3 litres in a can in the boot but i was only going about half a mile so i decided to wait until i got home to put it in.
I pulled up at home, turned the engine off and put the fuel in... but then it wouldn't start back up.
So from stopping the car to putting the petrol in and trying to start it again something happened.
None of the warning lights are on and i have reset the fuel cut off switch.
Could it be possible that the car was really low on fuel and sucked up some air and now there is air in the fuel pipes?
I have been trying to start it now for about 2 hours on and off...could it be flooded?
Do new car even get flooded anymore?
As you can tell im not really up on cars i know enough about old engines but not about these new engines that just look like lumps of plastic.

This is my check list

Is there fuel in=Yes (well enough to start it atleast)
Any Warning lights on=No
Fuel cut off swicth=Reset
Checked for leaking fuel=None
All HT leads on=Yes
Fuses=All ok (this is a last ditch attempt)

Im gonna go to bed now and hope that it is flooded and that in the morning it will start
If you have ANY ideas about what it could be can you please make some suggestions.?
Thanks in advance

What engine?

If it is a JTD the problem will be more difficult.

Is the car on level ground. I tried restarting mine in the same situation before with the left side on the pavement and I guess the fuel wasn't near the pump. simple and easy mistake to make. Just push it on to the flat. If it is anything else, how to remedy it is way obver my head.

Sorry i forgot to add the engine
Its a 1.6(not JTD)
And the car is leaning to the right (As im sat in the drivers seat)
Also the car will try to start ..its turning over but it just wont kick in

I had the same problem when my old VW golf ran out of fuel on a hill. I had to get the car level to start it back up again, also the rac guy said to try bouncing it for a bit.

I remember when i once ran out of petrol, when the AA turned up they pointed out you really need to turn the engine over for ages, to get the fuel from the tank to the engine. Afterall the lines etc will be dry, so it might take some time for pressure to build up enough to draw the fuel through. Problem there is you won't do it with just the standard battery, you'll need s jump starter pack or another car jumped leaded to your car.

Then when fuel is through to the engine, you might need to remove the plugs and dry them if they are flooded, alternatively wait until they've dried naturally.

Plus there is the problem of driving a car empty and the effects it will have on the CAT. They don't like it when you run the engine dry and use the last of the dross in the petrol tank.

dont touch the throtle when you try and start it, turn ignition on untill you hear the pump prime its self then off again, a few times before you actually turn key fully to turn engine over.

Thanks guys
I'll try out your ideas and let you all know how it goes
Thanks again

y not just call the AA? it is included with the fiat w'tee,may as well use it!

You could try chucking a couple of gallons more fuel in to see if the pump would catch prime - assuming you can get to a petrol station with a can!

Im not up on the lingo yet
Whats a "W'tee"?

I think he means a Warranty

Ahhh thanks KoArAnG
Doh...!!
Well i have just been and tried to start my car again and guess what?....... it still didn't start so i tried pushing off the curb and hey-presto it started.
I think i was just panicking last night.
But thanks for all your help guys.
Mucho Grassie-ass.

don't let your car run out of fuel, be like Uncle Twincamms and never let the gauge go below the halfway mark!

Heheh
The motto of this story is...............................Dont let your brother lend your car