Abstract: An internal combustion engine with charge stratification and spark ignition comprises a main combustion chamber and an auxiliary combustion chamber, the main combustion chamber and the auxiliary combustion chamber being interconnected by a short passage. The auxiliary combustion chamber has a wall, at least a portion of which is contiguous with an exhaust conduit of the main combustion chamber. When hot exhaust gases from the main combustion chamber are flowing through the exhaust conduit, the portion of the wall of the auxiliary combustion chamber contiguous with the exhaust conduit is in direct heat exchange contact with the hot exhaust gases for rapidly heating the auxiliary combustion chamber to a temperature within an optimum range to prevent condensation from forming therein.