Internal combustion engine and control method thereof

摘要

An internal combustion engine and control method therefor in which the engine is selectively started by combustion without cranking. The temperature in the combustion chamber of an engine cylinder is stabilized upon starting of the engine, thereby allowing secured staring without cranking. When predetermined idling stop conditions (or engine stop conditions) are established, the temperature in the combustion chamber is estimated based on engine operating conditions read before such establishment, and the period of maintaining a engine rotational speed in a predetermined low range before stopping the engine is calculated or estimated based on the estimated temperature in the combustion chamber. The engine is then stopped after the calculated or estimated period of maintaining the engine rotational speed in the predetermined low range.