Roy's Matra Enthusiasts pages
FAQ's: Frequently Asked Questions




Since these pages have now grown considerably, I have made an index with links to take you straight to the relevant page and answer. If you have a query that is not answered here, email me and I will see if I can provide an answer for you. I will then include it here for others. The questions and answers are in no particular order, simply as they came to mind!

• Page 1: Murena myths         Page 2: Buying a Murena         Page 3: LHD or RHD & Spring colour codes       Page 4: Chassis numbers explained       Page 5: Colour codes & more
• Page 6: Brakes & pads         Page 7: Cooling system            Page 8: Battery, 2.2 Sump leak                              Page 9: Head lights                                Page 10: Various
• Page 11: Spares                    Page 12: Clutch & Gearbox      Page 13: Carburettors                                            Page 14: Espace remote locking            Page 15: Fuel & 2.2 Pump
• Page 16: Tyres & Wheels     Page 17: Murena engines         Page 18: Steering & suspension                            Page 19: Buying an Espace III               Page 20: Espace III diesel trouble
• Page 21: Espace 1 Parts & Info

• Some facts on the Murena seem contradictory. What is the truth? Murena myths
  
• What are the true power figures for the Murena? Specifications.
  

• I wish to buy a Murena. What information can you provide? Information for buyers.
  

• Bagheera or Murena, LHD or RHD? Which should I choose? LHD or RHD?
  
• Colour codes for Murena left and right torsion bars. Torsion bar codes
  
• Colour codes for Murena 1.6 left & right rear coil springs. 1.6 Coil spring colour codes
  

• Exactly what model do I have? Chassis numbers explained. Chassis numbers
  
• Where do the engines come from? Make and type details. Engines
  
• What transmissions do they use? Make and type details. Transmissions
  
• How many cars were made? Production figures
  
• What materials are used to constructed them? Construction methods
  

• I have an M530. What were the original colours?
  
• I have one of the UK officially imported Bagheera. What were the original colours? Bagheera colours
  
• I want to respray my Murena. What were the original colours? Murena colours
• What were the original colours and paint codes for the first Renault Espace? Espace I colours
• Can I use a Tagora 2.2 engine in a Murena 2.2? Alternative engine
  
• Important points when working on a 2.2 engine Important facts
  
• Can I fit a 2.2 engine in a Murena 1.6? Upgrading a 1.6 Murena
  

• What should my cars weight be, for the M.o.T. annual test?
• The rear brakes of my Bagheera/Murena/Espace are sticking. What can I do? Sticking brakes
  
• The hand brake of my Bagheera/Murena or Espace (with discs at rear) is very poor
  and/or has no reserve travel. What can I do? Poor hand brake
  
• What are the brake pad part numbers for my Djet/M530/Bagheera/Murena/Espace? Brake pad numbers
  

• If I drain the Murena 2.2 cooling system, how do I refill it and get all the air out?
• 2.2 Cooling System Improvements
• My Murena 2.2 seems to have problems staying cool or cooling down when in traffic. What is wrong?

• I need a new battery for my Murena. What type do I want?
• My Murena 2.2 sump gasket is leaking. How do I change it?
  

• My Bagheera/Murena headlamps are very slow to come up or won't lift at all; or
  Both my dip and main beam come on together. What is wrong?
• The car/engine seems to struggle to reach the higher speeds/revs. What is wrong? Engine holding back
  
• I have various electrical problems. Where do I start? Electrical problems
  
• My Murena oil level warning light flashes all the time even though the level is correct.
  Why is this? Oil level light flashing
  
• My wipers have slow and fast speeds plus a 'flick wipe' operation but no intermittent setting.
  I have noted other Murena have an intermittent operation. Why doesn't mine? Wiper intermittent
  
• The air from the Murena interior vents is always warm even when I select full cold.
  How can I rectify this? Heater won't switch off
  

• Is it possible to fit air conditioning to the Murena?
• Would you like an improved (higher) top gear? High 5th gear
  
• I cannot remove the Murena left hand driveshaft from the differential. Why? LH driveshaft stuck
  
• The Murena tail glass won't open. What can I do? Tailgate won't open
  
• My Murena heated rear window (H.R.W.) does not work. What is wrong? H.R.W. not working
  
• What books are available on Matra? Publications on Matra
  
• Can I get discount insurance for my Matra? What is the best Matra insurance? Matra Insurance
  

• One of my lights doesn't working even after replacing the bulb. Where do I go next?
• Where do I get Murena door mirror spares or replacements? Murena door mirrors
• One or both of my Murena rear lamps are broken. Where can I get replacements? Murena rear lamps
• I cannot get RHD Rancho / Murena headlamps. What can I do? Rancho & Murena head lamps
• Where can I get a Matra windscreen? Matra windscreens
• My Murena glass hatch doesn't lift on it's own, or it lifts only slightly. Murena tailgate not coming up
  

• My Murena electric window(s) doesn't work, or only lifts very slowly. What can I do?
• My gear lever has broken and I can't get gears. What should I do? Broken gear lever
• I cannot get 5th and reverse gears; or I cannot get 1st and 2nd gears.
  Should I adjust the linkage? 'L' shaped bracket too tight?
• I have changed the clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder (or both) and now I cannot bleed all the air out of the system.
  Is there a special procedure? Bleeding clutch (new)

• What carburettors were fitted to the Murena models? How do I adjust the 34CIC on the 2.2?
• My Murena Weber/Solex downdraught carburettor is worn out. What can I do? Worn carburettors
• Can I fit twin side-draught carbs. to my standard Murena 2.2? Fitting twin side-draught carbs.
  

• I have a (Matra) Espace (series 1, 2 or 3) and the remote central locking doesn't work
  with one or both keys (plips). Can I have my keys (plips) re-programmed?
• My infra-red plip doesn't work. Is there anything I can do? Repairing Espace remote controls
  

• I have a Matra Djet, 530, Bagheera, Rancho or Murena. What fuel do I use?
• The fuel pump on my 2.2 Murena is leaking. Where can I get another? Murena 2.2 fuel pump
  
• My fuel tank sender unit has corroded/broken. I can't get another, so what do I do? Murena gauge replacement
  

• What are the Bagheera and Murena wheel and tyre sizes, pressures, fixing hole specifications, and bolt torques?
  
• Why are there differences to the radial fins on some Murena alloy wheels?
  
• What current tyres are available?
  

• My engine is difficult to start and/or runs poorly. What should I look for?
  
• This item and description also provides details about the 2.2 of which you may not be aware.
  

• My car wanders and needs constant correction to keep it running straight. What should I look for?
  or... The steering on my Murena seems very stiff or heavy. Should it be like this?
  
• My Murena has the 'S' sills. How do I fasten the bottom of the front wings?
  
• I need to remove the rear semi-trailing arms. Any tips?
  

• I am considering buying an Espace III. What information can you provide? Information for buyers.
  Including essential parts now unavailable for an Espace III, e.g. clutch hydraulics!
  
• I have an Espace III petrol and have engine starting difficulties, misfiring or running problems. Can you help? Petrol problems.
  

• I have an Espace III diesel and have engine starting or running problems. Can you help? Diesel problems.
  

• I have a Series 1 Espace, and I'm finding the parts on the internet don't fit. Can you help? Parts problems.
  

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This was last updated 15th November 2024