Yep, put it in boiling water, and you should see the 'inside bit' move. Hold it with some needle nose pliers, and pop it in a glass of cold water, it should do the opposite.
Push/pull is usually a matter of looks over function. While driving, you don't need a fan, so it should only come on when you stop at the lights, or idling around town.
Could try using heavy cardboard around the fan, to see if it makes any difference.??
This is the TMeyer 'stat I put in the XB.
They do this....