1992 300SD new to me-

Yesterday thursday the oil light came on- lntermitnent then steady, pulled over and checked oil ned register on stick. added 3 litres to bring to midway point!
Then approx. 50 kilometers later teh lighht came on and I added 2 more litres.

got home, with teh oil at the midway point. jacked it up, took off the silencer pans. oil all over the tops of the pans and right side of the block, head is clean. I got underneath with the engine at idle and reved to approx 2000-2500 RPM I could not find the source.
It is leaking it not using it.
Could this only happen only under load?
the exhaist color is OK, little puff of black on hard accelaeration but thats it, engine runs and idles great!!! lots of power!

the only area on that of the engine are:
1. the tensioner
2. the Turbo supply (my first thought)
3. the turbo return. just damp around the the tube end.

There is oil forward of the turbo, so I am leaning towards the tensioner.

But only under load?

A small oil leak can make a big mess, but all the oil is below exhaust manifold.

Any other ideas?

Steve
in the great white north