Private Pilot made off airport landing due to engine fuel starvation.

Narrative

3 hours 20 minutes into flight from ZZZ enroute to ZZZ1 I ran out of gas. Discovered fuel sump drain was leaking. Made forced landing in field. Friends circling above flew to ZZZ1 to get fuel for me. After they were out of radio range I discovered one of the axle bolts was missing. I called an airliner on [frequency] and told them I had landed in a field; every thing was fine & I had friends going to get gas for me. I gave the airliner my friends phone number and asked him to relay a message to my friend to pick up a bolt for me. They returned with fuel & I took off from the field and flew to ZZZ1 and filled the fuel tanks; then proceeded to a private airstrip. When I landed; my phone was ringing. Got calls from the [ATC and Search and Rescue]. Apparently; the pilot I asked to relay a message to my friend told ATC there was an Airplane crash! Search and rescue for as looking for me. I never said there was an emergency & was shocked to hear about the search. One of them actually wanted a picture of the airplane to prove it wasn't damaged. The nest said this was 'put to bed'.