Effects on metal
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 27 other vehicles, including the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio, 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio, 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio, 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, and 1999 Volkswagen Golf. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
In its pure state, refrigerant R-134a is chemically stable and will not attack iron, copper, brass or aluminum. However, the mixture of R-134a and PAG oil may deteriorate certain metals (copper), which could lead to blockage, leaks or deposits on the compressor piston. Therefore, when making system repairs, use only genuine VW replacement parts that are specified for use with R-134a refrigerant.