Hi, sorry to learn of your problem. Yes you can pull the seal out without taking the timing cover off. Lever out the old seal working around a bit at a time with a screwdirver. When putting the new seal on protect sharp edges on the shaft with thin insulating tape and lubricate both shaft and seal. Keep the seal square to the shaft by tapping it in bit at a time again working around the shaft. No point if you damage the new seal while putting it on. Best of luck! Vic M