Not starting after running out of fuel

[Joshsl]

After some advice please,

Im going to look at a cheap mx5 later on today, the owner has put a crap advert on facebook selling it as a non runner, he says that he it ran out of fuel and now he has put some in it will not start but there is fuel coming out of the fuel pipe in the engine bay.

any one got any ideas on what could be causing it to not start? my thinking is fuel filter is partially blocked after sucking up the crap at the bottom of the tank when it was run dry, or could it be a crank/cam shaft sensor that had gone at the same time and it was just a coincidence that it happened when it ran out of fuel,

its done 142k and has 9 months mot its up for £250 (but i have got him down to £200 over private messaging) and its only down the road from me so it wont hurt to have a look.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I don't think they do suck up crap from the bottom of the tank when they run empty. I think they always suck from the bottom of the tank, in which case it won't be that.

More likely something else, very probably unrelated to the fuel. How long is a piece of string?

[drgoatboy]

Did it really run out of fuel or just break down when it was really low? If you are handy with spanners then the worst thing would be a replacement engine which you can pick up for about £100. It will be worth more than £200 in parts unless it's a complete turd.
Edit; £1000 should have read £100!

Edited by drgoatboy on Saturday 17th October 18:56