Thanks 80stech!
I found your old post: https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...ump-drama.html

I too was wondering if perhaps the new parts I put in are no good. I am thinking about swapping back to the existing parts, since they seemed to work. I have two issues:

1) I still don't know how to check the (non vacuum actuated) valve

2) I have no way to force the pump on unless I clip 12V into the connector, but I can't force the car to turn the pump on, and I understand that it only goes on for 60-90 seconds if the car is cold, so it's impossible to repeatedly check the system in the summer...