Please advise on head gasket / coolant in oil

[pestun]

Please, I will appreciate any input on this issue

Short story:
Is there any other way the oil can get into coolant except the blown cylinder head gasket or cracked cylinder head?

Long story:
i have 5spd 98 Altima GXE at 89k miles. Recently noticed that engine gets hot, about 3/4 on the dashboard gauge, normally it is 1/2. The coolant reservoir was found empty. Had coolant flushed and replaced. Noticed that the old coolant had brownish foam and oily smell. After running engine, have found the same kind of brownish oily foam in the reservoir on top of the new coolant and under the radiator cap. After engine warms up, I can see air bubbles popping in the coolant reservoir. There is a slight white smoke in the exhaust. Can't see any external coolant leaks. There is a small oil leak at valve cover gasket. The car drives normal, engine sounds normal and does not overheat. Oil at dipstick looks normal, I don't see water in oil.

How oil and air can get into coolant? Cylinder head gasket or any other options? Is that common at 89k for KA24DE?

I am new to this forum and I would really appreciate all responses.
Thanks a lot!!

[BiGJoHn619]

not common you had a cooling problem and probably ruined your headgasket...

[nismoreplease]

Originally Posted by pestun

Noticed that the old coolant had brownish foam and oily smell. After running engine, have found the same kind of brownish oily foam in the reservoir on top of the new coolant and under the radiator cap. After engine warms up, I can see air bubbles popping in the coolant reservoir.

Usual signs of a headgasket leak. Check for white, milky swirls under oil cap/under valve cover and give it a good smell test after running engine for a while (if you wanna risk it). White smoke could be a sign of water in cylinder. Check exhaust for coolant smell as well.

[pestun]

Originally Posted by nismoreplease

Usual signs of a headgasket leak. Check for white, milky swirls under oil cap/under valve cover and give it a good smell test after running engine for a while (if you wanna risk it). White smoke could be a sign of water in cylinder. Check exhaust for coolant smell as well.

By exhaust diagnostic my mechanic confirmed exhaust in the bubbling radiator. The part is not expensive, but lots of labour to replace.

Which head gasket is better? OEM or something else?
I'd rather buy better gasket than have it fail again. This is not a racing car. But if any particular kind of head gaskets lasts longer, is tougher to overheating and leakage, that is plus.

Thanks.

Also, should I replace the waterpump and/or radiator altogether?

It is 89k miles. No leaks. Cooling systems seems to work, but has lots of sludge in it formed because of exhaust gases travelling through it and corroding metal.

Thanks.

[WarMachine]

I'd replace the waterpump just because of how many miles you have but the radiator if it isn't leaking then let it be. I would do a coolant flush while I am at it. As far as head gasket, I'm not sure which kind is the best sorry.