I am trying to replace the seals on a B230 engine and so far have been able to get the crankshaft seal out [the camshaft seal almost fell out] but have succeeded only in driving the layshaft seal further into the front block plate.

I had been using a flat bladed screwdriver but finally ended up using a mechanic's pic to get the crankshaft seal out.

No luck at all with the layshaft seal. At first it would not move at all and then I pushed it in about a quarter of an inch and is not cooperating at all with the screwdriver. I am looking at buying a seal removal tool but am not sure how effective that would be as well.

I thought of removing the front engine plate but it has two bolts that are attached through the oil sump and I think I would probably destroy the front part of that seal in the process of removing the plate. It has to be drawn forward once its bolts are removed and this will probably end up damaging the oil sump seal at its foremost edge. I could reseal with blue gasket stuff but before I go there I would like to know if there is a way I can simply remove the seal.