I can't think of any DIY way to remove and capture the R-12.  The shops
have a maachine that sucks it out and compresses it to store it in a tank.
  I suppose you could have it towed to a shop and back or if you knew a
very co-operative AC tech you could borrow the machine.

If you remove the compressor, close up the connections on it and the van to
keep out moisture, etc.

Larry A.

On Fri, Mar 11, 2016 at 6:43 AM, jbclem <jbclem1@charter.net> wrote:

> Just to be clear...I don't want to strip all AC parts from this Vanagon
> (1986 sunroof/non-Westphalia).  I just want to remove the compressor
> because it gets in the way of working on the left side of the engine.  I
> also don't like air conditioning so I won't miss it.  I'm not going to
> throw away the compressor and it's bracket,  so in the unlikely event that
> I sell the car it'll still be available for hookup.
>
> The problem is I can't drive the car to an AC shop for evacuation...I
> temporarily cancelled the insurance and my insurance agent reported this to
> the Calif. DMV, who then arbitrarily suspended the registration.
>
> I was hoping someone had figured out a DIY method to evacuate the system.
> I just found out that Autozone will lend out a vac pump, so that's a
> starting point.
>