Idler Pulley 2.4 litre

Believe pulley is source of chirping and cause of squealing neither of which are present when serpentine belt is off. Turning pulley does not result in any free spin-should there be? Purchased two oem idler pulleys neither of which spin freely (or resolve noise). The alternator and ac pulleys do spin freely. Is there supposed to be a bushing between the pulley and the engine mount? I tried a washer but after one day of silence the noise is back. I bought another bushing today thinking I might try putting it on between the housing and pulley instead of outside the pulley. I considered taking the idler pulley off and just using a non AC belt for the alternator alone but the belt is $30-$40.

Update: I tried placing the outer bushing on the inside but the belt was not fully on the pulley then. New bushing no difference although the chirping was only evident at start up and when I turned on AC. Too late for a test drive. I need some sleep.

I've got a 96GC. 7 years ago the dealer told me "I really need to fix the "chirp"". I changed both pullies. Three weeks later the "chirp" was back. That was 7 years and 140K miles ago. Don't let the "chirp" bug you. The squeal is another story.

I would say the pullies should spin at least a rev or two.

Thanks. Searching past threads suggested the tensioner as the source of chirping in the larger engines-the 2.4 does not have one. If I tighten the belt the squeal will go away. I was keeping the belt very loose as the chirp seems less then. My Haynes manual says 1/4 to 1/2 inch of deflection is all that is needed.

Believe pulley is source of chirping and cause of squealing neither of which are present when serpentine belt is off. Turning pulley does not result in any free spin-should there be? Purchased two oem idler pulleys neither of which spin freely (or resolve noise). The alternator and ac pulleys do spin freely. Is there supposed to be a bushing between the pulley and the engine mount? I tried a washer but after one day of silence the noise is back. I bought another bushing today thinking I might try putting it on between the housing and pulley instead of outside the pulley. I considered taking the idler pulley off and just using a non AC belt for the alternator alone but the belt is $30-$40.


What year is this and maybe I can look in a parts book and come up with something. Could still be a bad bearing in the alternator or water pump, if you have A/C will the chirp go away if you turn the A/C on?

My apologies for not getting back to you sooner. The '96 Caravan with 2.4 liter engine and A/C. Presently the chirp is intermittent at start up. A/C on or off does not seem to matter. It bothers me that there is so much drag on the idler pulley-it has to effect the performance and fuel efficiency. I thought of the A/C compressor and was frightened by the cost of a new compressor. I think I would live with an occasional chirp-maybe I will start complaining about the robins nesting in the engine compartment.

Parts book calls for 1 bushing #33002201 but does not show the parts breakdown...the pulley# is 4792112.

Will try to complete this thread. Dealership ordered bushing for me, turned out to be the outer bushing, bought it anyway. I also used a washer on the inside without much difference. Finally bought a new serpentine belt, Dayco instead of Mopar, and the problem appears to be solved. Thanks for suggestions/help.