Just filled up then ran out? WTF?

Advice please good people of the forum.........

My wife just filled up with petrol and promptly ran out 5 miles later????

How can this be?

I was in the car so know she did this (might not have believed it otherwise)and I also saw the numbers on the pump.

When we finally got home we called the station and was confronted by some tw&t who could barely speak a word of english and put the phone down on us three times saying 'I am very busy call tomorrow!'.

What has happened here? and more to the point what should we do about it.......

Did she put the right fuel in?

Bizarre. Can't help you there.

[DarrenSV650S]

Did the gauge in the car go up when you filled up?

I think a call to trading standards might be an idea they will go round and check the calibration of the pumps.

I'm afraid it has all the syptoms of the wrong fuel ...

When I worked for the RAC 4-5 miles is about how far you will get untill the wrong fuel reaches the carbs/injectors..

Have you got the reciept ? it should say if was unleaded or diesel you put in

[Jayneflakes]

If the tank is now empty, is there any sign of damage, rusty cracks or a stone hole to the tank itself, the fuel line or the carbs?

I once saw an engine with broken fuel lines, it sprayed the contents of the tank all over the rather hot inlet manifold which smelled awful and could have caught fire.

The car in question was only ten years old. (well it seemed quite new to me, but then I know next to nothing about cars!)

ruptured fuel line????? does the gauge still show full ??????

[Stu]

what makes you think you ran out of fuel?

Correct fuel and no signs of leaks - brand new Corsa with 1000 miles on the clock.

Station ran out of fuel perhaps?