Still got the problem with my john deere gt235, it will crank but not start. It smokes and acts like the choke is hanging but the choke is not on. Shoots gass out the spark plug hole if spark plug is removed.It started running for just about 5 minutes then quitting, acts like its flooded. Had problems for a couple weeks now. Just getting worse:( .What do I need to check? Any assistance with this problem would be of help to me.

How is the oil level? Is the level overfilled? You could be seeping gas past the needle in the carb, flooding the cylinder and crankcase with gas.

I had the same problem with my GT235. Sprayed WD40 in carb and it started and I plowed drive. Then changed gas filter and it started and ran fine. I ordered a fuel pump as a back up plan.