2.0L (AEG) Whine from front of engine; near oil filter

[n0sec0ne]

Hi, looking to purchase a 2.0L petrol beetle but have an intermittent whine from the front of the engine, used stethoscope and it would appear to becoming from the oil filter housing and changes with RPM.

It is not the secondary air pump;
doesn't change with AC switches on or off,
doesn't change if steering turnt to full lock (i.e. stressing the pump).
the sound is from center front of engine.

I wondered if its the oil pump, I believe its chain driven but this is a definite whine - it reminds me of a 'fuel pump with trapped air' type of whine.

Worried about buying an otherwise nice car - guess its not normal but should I walk away from this car ?

Thanks in advance

[2001Jettagls]

The oil pump is chain driven, but the chain is near the crankshaft damper, not the oil filter.

Is it constant?
only during cold start?
Possibly just a low quality or clogged oil filter?

[n0sec0ne]

Hi thanks for the quick reply.

Are there any known issues with the pump ? It seems loudest when listening on the oil filter casing but obviously sound travels from the casting.

No its not all the time, it comes and goes but is there more often than not.

Are they strong engines or walk away time ?

[2001Jettagls]

The 2.0 is a very reliable engine.

It is relatively simple design that will run for 200,000 + miles with only basic maintenance.