how do ya check one with a multi meter?

isn't the stator what the motor windings go around?
anyway, Tod sez, it'll blow a reg meter, unless ya go THE special meter, depending
he sed just take a wire and touch 1 side and slowly get close to other lead, and watch for spark. and use an insulated wire.

it would help to know what application/vehicle/motor as well volt rating on capacitor

starter on the elec. motor for my dust collector
50uf 120 240vac i was using my meter to check contenutiy (sp) it will show is making then will just fade off

Make sure the capacitor is fully discharged, short the two legs with a screwdriver. Use the multimeter meter set on ohms. You should get a reading showing ohms, that will quickly increase to infinity. The ohmmeter at first shows the capacitor plates are charging. When fully charged, it shows an open circuit, which is what a capacitor is. Any final reading other than infinity means the plates are shorted together and the capacitor is no good.

thanks billcat i tried checking it that way and it shows the capacitor is good still no joy on getting the motor to run tho.
pulled the motor apart and it looks just plumb wore out to me