For the solenoid, insted of just trying to pull on it. Twist it first, old o-rings can take seat like nothing else. So the twisting motion should "un-seat" the o-ring(s). looks like there is a place where a "flat head" type of tool might get enough of a grip to get some "twisting" motion....I tried to draw a "red line" where I think you might be able to get to to twist.

 

I think the chain has some links that are marked when you get it. The marked links should go on the dimples on the cam/crank sprockets. The cam dimples are pointing up in your pic.

Can you post a pic of the location of the VTC oil control valve location zoomed out. I'm not sure where it is located on your engine.

 

Space it tight. So a flat head hex bit in a 1/4 inch socket - 1/4 drive - might help. In tight spaces I will use a piece of shop towel over the socket and then push the bit into the towel and the socket....the towel helps to hold the bit in the socket so it isn't "flopping" out every time you move it around into position.

PA - the VTC solenoid is towards the top of the engine. It took me a minute to get passed the "mirror pic"....BTW I thought that was VERY clever

 

If you try to twist it out, be careful not to scratch the bore. Maybe use a plastic tool like a trim remove piece to prevent scratching the bore. You can also wrap a metal screwdriver with electrical tape.

 

I tried to twist it on those edges with a 1" scraper wrapped with tape and it didn't move. It seams frozen in there. I still have the cover attached. My next step will be to remove the cover and see if I can get it out. Hopefully there will be more room to work. There's a piston in the middle of the solenoid that moves in and out. Maybe if I can get the piston out then I could put something on the hole to help extract the rest of the solenoid. I don't know. Thanks for your help. - Lon

 

I'm still having issues. I got all the bolts to the timing cover out - 3 bottom, 7 left side, 5 right, plus 3 for engine mount. The cover won't come off. I've tried pulling out at the top and hitting the sides with a rubber hammer. It won't budge. Do I stick a screw driver in the sides and pry? I'm getting frustrated - Lon

 

See this image to double check and make sure all the bolts were removed on the cam chain case.

 

I missed one bolt - top center. The VTC is still stuck in there. I was thinking of threading the center hole and putting a bolt in there. Twist or pull out. I don't know. There is room to get some vice grips or channel locks but its not turning. What about those extractor drill bits, would one of those help twist it? Starting to get hopeful??? - Lon

 

I finally got the vtc solenoid out. I used a 9/16 extractor bit. It locked into the hole and started to spin so a little wiggle while spinning and it came right out. Now it's time to replace that timing chain and put it all back together. Wish me luck - thanks - Lon

 

Congrats on getting the solenoid out. Sometimes little things trip you up. Good luck with the chain job, hopefully it'll go smoothly and trouble free.