"IF" the poster were capable of this (big IF), he would not be posting this question. It is my experience that the everyday HO has no idea what a capacitor looks like or what it does. I wouldn't assume that he would know to disconnect power either. It may seem simple to "US" in the trades but it is not a common ability to a HO. It is a 50/50 shot at best that it's the cap anyway. I don't give advice on a hunch as it seems irresponsible to do so.
Now "IF" the HO said his fan had froze up and the cap was bulged out and when he spun the blade it started and that he knew how to change it with out killing himself; then I would say ok give it a try. But don't you see if that were the case he would have already done it...
Joseph
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