so my 1980 280se (w126) has been suing tons of oil (i drove to and back from ocean shore, a 380 mile trip, round trip, and had to put 3 quarts in to keep her happy)

i was poking around, just checking her out, and opened my air filter cover, and found where my oil has been going, there is LOTS in there, everything in there is coasted, as well as about 1/16th inch sitting on the bottom.

i've been told it could be either a leak or it could be coming up directly to the air filter from some sort of breather hose that putting oil in there. any guesses or solutions?

i don't have a shop manual yet (working on it!!!!), so pics are great!