Okay, lawnmower trouble - calling out Rocky and FM

Alex bought a lawnmower for about $250 about 3 yrs ago. It has a B&S motor on it. Lately (last two weeks), it's been starting up fine, then crapping out after a few minutes. I'd start it up again and it'd do that again. Fortunately my lawns are small and I managed to get them done. I thought maybe water had gotten into the gasoline (rain). Anyway, the other day, I hit a small rock (2" high by 3" long) and immediately shut the mower off. Since then, nothing but problems. The blade seemed to be a bit bent (it was hitting the inside of the 'chassis') and suddenly it was leaking oil.

I'm alone here (not that A would be any help at all) and need to mow the ever-growing lawn, so I called a small engine (ie lawnmower) guy to look at it. The choke was stuck on ON, he thinks the engine is flooded with oil, the air filter was disgusting (oh Alex!!!), and everything was covered in oil, ick. Plus, the blade appears to be fine. Won't start, though.

He thinks it might be the gasket, but he's going to clean it up and look at it all. He's going to charge me about $100 for fixing it, if it needs the gasket. If it just needs a seal, it'll be about $60.

So... do you think he's accurate in his dx? I'm happy to pay him the $25/hr as long as it doesn't take all night. He quoted me $80 - $100 and I'm okay with that.

Does this sound like what it could be and for that price?

I think it's reasonable, myself.