My'97: Bought used. I found the fuel filter quite plugged. At 191,000 Kms, i had to change the pump, as the engine became hard to start. (but ran fine once started)
Cooling: The pump assembly I bought, which is the same as came out of the van, has a "well" in which the pump sits. The fuel return line from the engine keeps this well full at all times. And the well doesn't have a drain, so you can run out of fuel, but still have the well full, to cool the pump.
Dirt: the pump inlet is at the bottom of the tank. so it's always getting the fuel off the bottom. The "sock" on the inlet of my old pump was clean when i took it out of the tank.