Engine starting for engine having adjustable valve operation and port fuel injection

A method for controlling an engine during a start, the method comprising:

• during a first engine start:
• transitioning an intake valve of at least one cylinder from a closed position to an open position before engine rotation and injecting a first amount of fuel from a port injector to the at least one cylinder during the transition of the intake valve from the closed position to the open position so that at least some fuel enters the at least one cylinder before rotation of the engine begins, the at least one cylinder in a first cycle since engine stop;
• injecting a second amount of fuel from the port injector during the first cycle and after engine rotation begins and after injecting the first amount of fuel;
• closing the intake valve after injecting the second amount of fuel;
• and
• performing a spark in the at least one cylinder to initiate a first combustion event in the at least one cylinder where the first and second amounts of fuel are combusted;
• and
• during a second engine start:
• opening the intake valve of the at least one cylinder and starting a first injection of fuel from the port injector to the at least one cylinder since engine stop and after rotation of the engine, the first injection of fuel participating in a first combustion event in the at least one cylinder during the second engine start.

A system for an engine, comprising:

• a first cylinder having an electrically actuated intake valve and an exhaust valve;
• a first fuel injector coupled in an intake port of the first cylinder;
• a controller including code stored in a non-transitory medium to trap a vacuum in the first cylinder at engine stop;
• wherein said controller includes further code to inject fuel from the first fuel injector during opening of the electrically actuated intake valve of the first cylinder so that at least some fuel enters the first cylinder before rotation of the engine begins, close the electrically actuated intake valve of the first cylinder, and perform a spark in the first cylinder when vacuum in the first cylinder is sufficient to assist fuel induction into the first cylinder before rotation of the engine;
• and
• wherein said controller includes further code to start the engine with an alternative starting sequence when vacuum in the first cylinder is not used to assist fuel induction into the first cylinder before rotation of the engine.

A method for controlling an engine during a start, the method comprising:

• storing a vacuum in a cylinder at engine stop;
• when the vacuum has not decreased during and immediately preceding engine stop:
• before rotation of the engine begins, opening an intake valve of at least a first cylinder of the engine and starting injection of fuel from a first port injector coupled to the first cylinder so that at least some fuel enters the first cylinder during opening of the intake valve;
• closing the intake valve of the first cylinder;
• performing a spark in the first cylinder;
• and
• starting injection of fuel from a second port injector coupled to a second cylinder of the engine after rotation of the engine begins;
• and
• starting the engine with an alternative starting sequence when the vacuum has decreased during engine stop.