Hi guys newbie wiv problems

Hi all I bought a r reg 2.3 Vito yesterday need sum work doing to it , but my main problem is it was running fine till earlyer I think it ran out of fuel even tho it said quarter of a tank so put sum in and it starts eventually but splutters and coffs and kicks out smoke for couple mins then dies , sorry to b pain as just joined but any ideas thanks dizzy

sounds like air lock