Yay! thanks for feed back from Champion owners! I've been poking around further on the internet, found some answers to I own question... and now hearing it from you guys...this just seems to be the way that Champions handle root-type veggies and celery. (I chop my Celery in tiny pieces but the veins still get caught up in there) I always stop and wash the parts when things get warm due to my lack of patience and shoving carrots quickly down the shoot, because I don't want my juice getting "cooked". This juicer works great for my price range, and considering I got it off ebay...
I suppose if I'd paid $300 for it, or $600, like some juicers, I'd be really ticked off right about now though!