May well be the motor on the way out. It does work pretty hard.
Take off the post-motor filter (Clip-on cover underneath the dust bin). The filter should be loght coloured. If it's heavily blackened and/or distorted, that's a good clue.
The bad news is that a new motor and a new post-motor filter would set you back about £60, by the time you include VAT and shipping, even off t'Internet.
The good news is that Dyson offer a fixed-price, at-home service for £65, including any necassary parts.
The motor in my machine failed in early '08.
I found the Dyson service deal on the website, filled in the form on the support page on the Thursday evening, had a call back on Friday and had a visit set up for Tuesday the following week.
The guy came and, as well as a new motor and filter, he fitted a new clutch assembly (he said 'cos the old one "looked a bit worn"), a new pre-motor filter, new belts and a new cyclone assembly (I have a feeling there was a safety redesign: The new cyclone has a lock that prevents you releasing the cyclone inadvertently if you press the release button whilst lifting the vacuum by the handle on top of the cyclone)
So there you are: for a fiver more than the cost of a new motor and filter, I had about £120+ of bits fitted and guaranteed for a year.
I'm sure this has been posted in reply to several other Dyson motor failures - Doing a search you may have found an answer much quicker.
No matter - Was that helpful?
John
November 2008