Fuel flows through the whole thing, full time, cools it and maybe lubes it a
bit.
You shouldn't operate them  dry.
I think there are vanes that move the fuel. It's not a pulse or diaphragm
type pump, but an almost 'turbine' type pump. Uses vanes in a housing to
create fuel movement. 

If it was new and stuck or not pumping......usually they can get
unstuck.....some WD-40 ...some tapping and shaking......maybe zap it with 24
volts briefly ( two batteries connected in series- - get creative ) .....You
can get a lot of electrical things working again this way, like power window
motors....and, of course, 
There's the ole hammer test for starters,  etc.
Scott
www.turbovans.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Don Spence
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 3:02 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Fuel pump mechanism question

Anthony has posted a photo of a disassembled pump. Can someone
explain how this pumps fuel? Are the innards immersed in the fuel as
it transits the pump? what provides the pumping action?

> Date:    Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:05:33 -0500
> From:    Anthony Kimmons <akimmons@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: Vapor lock? Static electricity? Help!
>
> I just cut open my fuel pump that was new, but had been sitting in my
> van (installed) for a couple of years. Wondered what had made it stop
> working.
>
> Posted a picture here if anyone is interested-
> http://www.anthonykimmons.com/vanagon
>
> I could  see nothing wrong with it. Looked pretty new. Seemed clean,
> but would not turn.
> Still not sure what caused it to fail.