I imagine the idler pulley is there for a reason, and if you removed it you'd also have to get a shorter belt... But it has to be there for a reason,, not sure what the reason is though... and belt dressings are a bad idea and only a temporary fix.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15