allen key? all my sumps have a 13mm hex drain bolt... odd.
you can use a mityvac and a jug with a plastic lid to suck the oil out via the dipstick tube.
Really? a store would not sell you synthetic oil? wow. there are old wives tales about leaking gaskets, and such, but it's just that. a story. pull your valve cover. look at the head for sludge. if there is sludge, then yes. synthetic oil will clean it all out in about 1000 miles, but that's a good thing. fresh 15w40 will do the same thing. just change your filter in 1000 miles or so, and you'll be fine. the only way synthetic can cause oil leaks is if there are already oil leaks in the motor, that are plugged up with sludge. the sludge goes away, and the oil now has a path to leak out.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I can make the "allen key" with a bolt and two nuts, but it's not something I fancy doing on the side of the road, when I have a friend with a pit.

As far as the "old wives tail" regarding synthetic/mineral oil, I was offerred semi-sythetic oil, but decided to go the cautious route. Research on the internet backs up what you say, however.

Compression is great on the thing, was starting today when warm without glowing, think the startmotor is a tad on the lazy side, will maybe think about reconditioning it when I have the whole car in pieces to get to the heating fan motor.

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306D 1975 (camper) - rusting away
W116 450 SEL 1975 - sold
W114 long wheelbase ambulance, 3 litre diesel 1974

VW Golf 1 convertable - midlife crisis item
VW T4 van - support vehicle