Head fire rings

[Rawze]

(05-19-2022 )Scooby d Wrote:  2012 Cummins isx cm 2250 with 380k on engine. Started getting compression in radiator so I pulled the exaust manifold and looks like its coming from number 6 hole. Haven't lifted the head yet so I'm hoping just a gasket and not a crack. My question is.... I know of guys getting fire rings cut in the heads and they are saying that it helps the Cummins head gasket from blowing out.... has anyone had experience with fire rings and what are your thoughts? Thanks

What you describe so far points strongly towards a head gasket failure but it can be other things too. Because of this, and because removing the head off of an ISX is one of the most expensive things that can be done ... as a general rule, a person should not be pulling the head off of an ISX until they have dropped the oil pan/stiffening plate, pressurized the coolant system up, and verified 100% that that it is indeed a failed head gasket BOFORE removing that head. Otherwise, once it is apart, someone may never know what the problem really was .;. and/or waste a whole lot of time and moneys.