Engine 'swishing' noise - AUS engine

[rjamey_uk]

Noticed (today) that there is a 'swishing' noise coming from the top of the engine on the side where the belts are. Engine was idling from cold, fan and a/c off.

Car appears to run fine, but I have not noticed the noise before before (had the car 9 years!).

Timing belt was change 2 years ago, so I hope it is not that, although a recent MoT stated that there is a small oil leak from the a/c pump - is it located on this side of the engine and could it be that making the noise?

Thanks

R

[dooroy]

Would advise you get it checked out ASAP - a friends Golf with the 1.6 AUS engine recently suffered a broken belt and from what I could see it wasn't a clean break , bits were flying around beforehand.
And a friend in the trade is now advising his customers to change the belt on these engines at 36K mls as afew have suffered what would be considered 'early' breakages . And the cost of repairs makes a replacement the best option .