There is no such thing as a 1987 Villager, I assume you mean a '97. The water pump is in the center of the engine in front, behind and above the crank pulley. To remove it requires that the crank pulley be removed, which may require special tools.
The water pump does not have a "tensioner".
$49.00 - $89.00
water pump location 1999The water pump is located behind the timing belt cover the only place I have been albe to info on this is in alldata system.
There are few pictures on the net which can be transmitted. However, the water pump is located directly between the two camshaft timing gears on the front of the engine.
The water pump is located on the front or right side of the engine. To find it, remove the drive belt cover. On the front or right end of the engine. To find it, remove the drive belt cover.
You will need to drain the water from your 1997 Mercury Villager cooling system. Remove the water pump belt. Remove the water pump hose. Remove the water pump retaining bolts. Reverse the process to install the new water pump.
3.5 HOURS
The water pump is behind and above the crank pulley in the center of the front of the engine. It requires extensive disassembly to replace, the crank pulley and timing cover must be removed..
It could be water that got under your distributor cap
probably a bad water pump................
The 1999-02 Mercury Villager equipped with a 3.3L V6(SOHC) requires that the cam belt be replace at 105,000. This is an INTERFERANCE engine and as such if the belt breaks, serious engine damage will occur. Do not neglect this service. Also if the water pump is driven by the cam belt, replace it at the same time.
A broken hose, most likely.