Like others in this post I put too much oil in my 1yr old toro. I kept checking the
Reading on the dipstick and it kept calling for more so..

In my case, the engine started and then died after 2 seconds. Oil was dripping from
Paper filter. I pulled that off and tried starting again and the pull cord is seizing.
I pulled the plug and it was wet. I drained the oil out but the pull cord is still seizing
And the thing doesn't even sound like it wants to start.

I am a putterer--- but I do need to cut the lawn so the repair can't take all summer.
Any advice on self repair? Do I need to dismantle the engine? How much do you reckon
A small engine repair shop will charge?

Your rope isn't really seized but the oil on both sides of the rings and in the cylinder are building up too much compression to turn the engine over. Pull the plug and drain the oil. You might need to turn the mower on its side to get it all out. Add a few ounces of fuel to the cylinder and pull the rope a few times with the spark plug removed, cover the plug hole with a rag so the gas doesn't spray all over you. Now add the right amount of oil and fresh fuel, tell us how it went.

Thanks for the reply ballengerb1! Just a note on clarification lest I screw up my
Mower even worse. You suggest that I "add a few ounces of fuel to the cylinder".

Qs: does this mean that I pour gas into the hole where I pulled the spark plug?

Qs: a few ounces sounds like a lot --- is the idea that the gas is needed to cut
The viscosity of the oil to thereby get it to "shoot out" the cylinder via the spark plug hole
When I pull the cord a few times?

Qs: do I keep pulling till nothing more comes out of the cylinder?

Qs: there was oil coming out of my carb filter as well --- do I need to flush the carb as well?

Sounds like a winner, do as ballengerb has said.

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

I think you got the idea, we are trying to cut the oil by adding gas to the spark plug hole. Pull the cord about 5-6 times and clean/gap the plug of install a new one.

You guys are the bomb! My Pops had put too much oil in his Toro GTS 6.5hp and thought it was shot. Further, it had set for about two years. I really anticipated an all day (or two day) project getting this thing going, but with your advice, it's running smoothly and it is still before noon. Thanks!!

GREAT ADVICE! Thank you so much. This helped me fix my lawn mower in less than a half hour without having to pay someone to fix it.