If the clog is in the hose, the unit
will build up vacuum, the motor will go
higher pitch and when you try to unplug
the hose from the inlet, there will
be a hugh rush of air. If it is in the
tubing, you won't have the big air rush.
On mine, if the hose is plugged and
plugged pretty solid, it becomes hard
to even remove the hose connector from
the inlet. Also, if the hose is
plugged and you lay it out on the floor,
you can usually see the hose
contract on the wall side of the clog.
Running you ear along the hose
can frequently find a large turbulant
sound at the clog. Sometimes, if you
flex the hose at that spot, it will
break up and get sucked in as the clog is
usually one item catching a bunch of
other things.

Stormin Mormon wrote:
I think the BX would be a good idea. You've also got the right idea to
wonder if the clog is in the hose.

Wonder if the original poster tried the vac without the hose to see if it
had draw back at the outlet?

Small note: The " symbol means inches.