Engine start control for a motor with hydrocarbon restraint equipment

A method of operating an engine (10) having an inlet (23), an outlet (25) and a hydrocarbon restraint equipment (22), said motor (10) burns fuel, the method comprising: during engine starting: selectively routing exhaust gases of the engine to the hydrocarbon restraint equipment (22) for storing of hydrocarbons of the exhaust gas and operating with spark advance near a peak torque control time; and selective purging of stored hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon restraint equipment (22) to the engine intake (23).