Would there be a way to tell if that is the case? I have had the unit out and it responds appropriately to voltage and I can see it working when ac is switched on and when the heater is switched on.

If the new unit is faulty, what should it look like when I take it out if it is not under load. Should it be fully extended due to pressure from the fluid? The part that I have seems to have a suction issue when I pull it out due to the rubber would this also be an issue?