I have the same problem too.
I have a eureka smart vac
and it does this all the time, and it seems like it always gets clogged which makes the vac motor run as if you put your hand over the hose,,,,,real high pitch sucking noise.. I have unclogged it many of times but yet it clogs at the bottom of the hose. It just seems like everything collects in the bottom hose and doesn't move to the bag.
I haven't taken it apart,, cause I got a new vac,,but since I have read your post I might take it apart and see what's going on inside. If I do I will make sure to update my post.
jeff, September 2007