Smoking Yamaha

[Jaguar 25]

Just got my 2004 Yamaha 2.5 hp 4 stroke outboard to run after 3 years of non-use. Seems to not run very smoothly and produces a lot of black smoke but I cannot remember it previously smoking. Is this an indication of worn/broken piston rings?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[saltylegs]

Is there a chance that it was not stored upright resulting in engine oil working its way into the cylinders, might clear after a bit of running.

 

[Jaguar 25]

Could well be right. I replaced the plug and it was black and sooty! I will be running it a few more times before any winter shut down so I will see if it clears up.

Thanks.