Re: 1996 200 hp Mercury Stator
I wouldn't get in a rush to let anyone change that stator just yet.
You said the motor SPEEDS UP then goes back to normal?
500 bucks for a stator is NOT going to cure your problem.
A failing stator will LOWER RPM and recover, not speed up.
Your problem sounds more like a restricted fuel supply or an intermittent intake air leak leaning the fuel mixture out, speeding up the motor, and soon to melt pistons if not diagnosed and repaired correctly.
It is also possible that an ignition module is intermittently advancing ignition timing. Proper testing will prove any ignition fault.
Throwing expensive NON-returnable NON-refundable ignition parts at a problem will only seriously lighten your wallet, without fixing your problem.