A friend of mines journey in his Audi-powered RSA import t3,across the country and back,has tragically ended in a twisted,melted,burn-out wreck just out of Ceduna S.A.
He reports that a small fire started after parking under the rear guards, that couldnt be contained with two fire extinuishers,that then burned the bus to the ground.
He also said that when the fireis put the fire out"the gearbox main-shaft was on the ground,in a pool of molten aluminium and the roof is twisted and melted".
Sounds like a very aggressive and hot fire.
He has lost everything that he was travelling with including some astronomy gear.
He has photos and I will post them when he sends them to me and I get more details.

Very sad.

Catalytic convertor on grass?

I dont rekon Phill,I had grass catch alight from my cat a xmas,I just drove of that patch and luckily put the grass fire out.
He reckons some sort of vegetation caught on fire in the engine bay,as he has been doing some tracks.I have driven through grass and shrub over a metre long and never had anything in my engine bay.I have had branches stuck under the car though.(this bus is not a syncro,but still).
I rekon it had to be fuel,any way he has lost out big-time.
Insured for 7-5,cost him 10,spent a few on it since he had it.And losses what was in the bus.

At least he had some insurance.

But it would bugger his holiday adventure completely.

I do tend to agree with Phill - that spinifex grass turns into a molten black gunk which just keeps burning - they are very hard to put out and have burnt many outback adventurers vehicles to the ground.

You basically have to stop regularly turn off the syncro remove anything obvious then let it cool down to check further - better than being toast.

Post some photos when you can.