Reply To: Mercury Mark 5 Oil Seal

[Rex Perry]

For those who may be faced with this same problem, I offer what I have done to solve it.
The oil seal is located in the lower drive shaft housing below the water pump housing. It is possible to use a small punch or other tool thru the opening in the pump housing, to catch the edge of the seal. Working around the edge will drive the seal out. The seal is not very thick, maybe .18 to .25 inch.
This seal cannot be pressed out by pushing toward the water pump. It is installed in a boss machined into the drive shaft housing.
The seal and the water pump housing are separated by a spacer that appears to be pressed in place.
Try not to destroy the water pump housing. I don’t think that there are many of those around.