Just bought a wrecked '98 Escort. I don't know any history on the car but it has been wrecked real light on the drivers side front and the radiator is brand new. Well, the water reservoir is churning a little and this concerns me. I'm thinking maybe it has a blown head gasket and it's pumping compression into the water system. Maybe its something simple. Anybody have any thoughts on this. Thanks.

Do a compression test on it. You are prob right though.

Sounds like a head gasket to me. They make a special leak detector that uses a special fluid that will change colors if combustion gasses are detected in the cooling system. SnapOn makes one.

Did a compression test yesterday. 1 and 4 are good but 2 and 3 have very little compression. Found an engine today for cheap, so I might go ahead and fix it because the car is in good shape and I hate to part it out.

I would replace the gasket. If both 2-3 are bad then there is a leak between cylinders. Prob not mixing any water with oil. If the engine otherwise ran good just replace the gasket.

Ditto- the time and money in replacing the gasket is far less than a new engine. At the very least get the head off of there and ahve a look at things, drain your oil and see if there is any water in there.
That gasket can be changed in no time.