You have a couple of probably the best and correct answers: a blown or failed (head) gasket. However, you could also have a cracked head or block (though you would probably notice this elswhere also if the engine is not cracked so bad it quit), and this would be more prominently noticed by oil and/or water leaking from under the car, very bad running of the car, or having the need to add oil frequently. I have owned two Sentras (along with an Altima, three Pathfinders, and a Quest). Nissan does make some tough engines, but around the 150,000 mile point (even if maintained properly), in my experience, things in the engine begin to fail quickly.
If the vehicle is otherwise running well and you are not having to add oil frequently (say, more than 1 quart for every 1,000 miles), clean your engine well (get some spray cleaner from Auto-zone) with the cleaner you spray on, wait about 10 minutes (or as directed by the instructions), then hose off (gently) and see if you can locate any cracks or abnormalities. After a good cleaning, you can also check your hoses and belts.
If it is only a gasket, it may be worth replacing (and something you might even be able to do yourself (just make sure you have a torque wrench), but a cracked block or head, you might want to consider replacing.
Just remember: Oil in the radiator IS NOT A GOOD THING! You will not keep the car running forever without repairing it! Good luck!Why car radiator got oil?
You have a blown head gasket.
Stick or auto trans? Most auto trans cars use the
radiator to cool the trans fluid and you could have an internal
leak there. If not, the engine itself is leaking into the water
jacket, most likely a gasket failure.
It sounds like you have a head gasket blown. Oil in the antifreeze is not a good thing. Id have a shop check it out. The longer you run the vehicle like this the more of a possibility of additional repairs being needed.
head gasket good luck
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