Rick, I think you're on the right track, many problems that I've had to address have been the result of a few small leaks, rather than just 1 big one. Before you go gluing anything in, see if you can find a replacement plug that comes with a gasket, (SP 1700 FG, Hayward, should do the job). There is also the posibility that the pump housing itself has failed, if that's the case, glue the 'bejesus' out of the plugs and cross your fingers that the glue hits the right spot.