2000 Cavalier whines when accelerated
 

I love my 2000 chevy cavy except when I press the pedal. At that point my drive becomes noisy; the car starts to whine. The more the car is accelerated, the more the car whines. Then, after turning the car off it has a strong hot rubbery smell. One mechanic replaced the alternator but it continues to make the sound. Another mechanic suggests replacing the timing belt and still another suggests getting an engine check. I'm not financially in a position to repair my car by way of the process of elimination. So, has anyone else had this problem, and how was it corrected? I thank you in advance.

to clarify; the noise and burning smell only occur when the car is moving? It does not happen reving the engine in park, correct?

Cav's don't have timing belts, they use timing chains.

reply regarding the whining noise and smell of my cavalier
 

Actually, the whine does happen when I'm reving the engine in park. I tried it out the other day, and although the whine isn't as loud as when it's accelerated, and the smell isn't as intense but the whine is still there. Someone wanted to put transmission fluid in my car.

if its happening in park its probably not the trans.

I would remove the drivebelt and try it to see if the noise and smell is gone. With the drive belt off the waterpump is no longer turning so don't run the engine for long. It should take less than 60 seconds to test this anyway.
If the symptoms are gone you can be sure its pulley/belt related.

While the belt is off (turn engine off) spin all the pulleys by hand. Listen for noisey, and feel for play in the all the pulley bearings.

Thank You
 

I'll have the mechanic that I've been using check the drive belt and the pulley. I'll keep you posted.

I have a whine to my car but not the smell, mine was just an idler pulley though, it could be that.