While I appreciate the suggestions for removing the grommet, I can't stress enough just how stuck this thing was. In no way could a vacuum cleaner have ever bound it tight enough to remove it. So here is the story:
1.) When I first tried to remove the PCV valve, the top of the grommet broke off, but the grommet remained in the hole. I did get the PCV valve out of the grommet, however the grommet now kept wanting to fall into the hole all the way since the top broke off. I then tried coating a 1/2" diameter lag screw with JB weld and putting it into the grommet hole. The grommet instantly fell all the way into the valley pan, but the bottom of the pan only let fall about 3/4" inches. At that point, I still have the lag screw in the hole with the JB weld and let it harden over night
2.) Day 2 and the JB weld actually stuck quite well considering the inside of the grommet had oil on it. I applied a lot of upward pull, but it resulted in the grommet now being stuck back in the valley pan hole and the bolt along with the JB Weld pulling out completey. At least the grommet was now back in the hole
3.) So now I reverted to the original idea I had. I purchased an 80 lb picture type wall hanger and replaced the short bolt in it with a long piece of threaded rod. I then slide an old piece of small diameter water pipe over the rod and welded the pipe to the top of the wall hanger and welded the bottom of the rod to the bottom tip of the wall hanger (see photo). I then put the wall hanger into the grommet, tighted the nut at the top and had it anchored pretty well. I would guess that I applied about 30 pounds of upward pull, but I didn't have the anchor tightened enough and eventually it pulled out of the grommet hole
4.) Next attempt - I straightened out the legs on the wall hanger and tried again, but had the same result. I was trying not to overtighten the hanger for fear of it becoming too wide and then having it stuck in the hole too
5.) Final attempt - I now cranked the nut about twice as much as I had in the past and at that point, I could tell the bottom of the anchor was very tight against the grommet. I lubed up the grommet real well with good old "3 in one oil". I then pulled with all my might straight up for about 20 seconds and nada!!! Now I'm starting to say things in my head that my priest wouldn't even want me to confess! Still, the tool held tight in the grommet and did not break. After looking at how far I could angle the tool, I decided to rock it and pull hard. To my surprise (and great relief), the grommet came out.
Attached is a picture of the tool that I made in case anyone else needs to make one. The pipe is 6" long and the threaded rod is 1/4" x 24", but 12" would have still been more than enough. The hanger is a Hillman #5.
Hope I don't ever need to do this again, but if I do, I now know where to start.
Photo shows, one of the extra new hangers I bought (3 in a pack), the replacement grommet and the hard as a rock broken grommet on the tool.
Old Joe
P.S. Oddly there were very few grommet pieces in the valley pan and what was in there easily vacuumed out with a small hose at the end of my shop vac hose.