Windshield washer check valves last 6 months

FWIW I would offer something else is going on.
For 4 of your 6 years of ownership, there were no issues.
Not mentioned is the exact failure/ issue of the valve.

What changed?
Brand of w/s fluid perhaps?
In my experience, I have seen some brands of fluid coagulate and gum up lines and valves.

So, try to flush the system with hot water then use GM (General Motors) Opti-Kleen concentrate mixed in the ratio with distilled water.
That's my 2 cent comment... good luck.

 

Yes.

 

otoh, the oems only lasted 8 years, which seems unusual. not sure i've ever heard of anyone having to replace them.

 

Have you thought of pulling out the windshield washer reservoir, pump and screen? Cleaning the gunk out of it? It sound like your not using distilled water, if your filling with 'hard' water, there could be mineral buildup causing things to jam up - kinda like toilet bowl rings. If the check valve is getting clogged or jammed up; could there be contaminates being pumped into it causing the valve to jam up? Clean everything out, blow out the lines, use distilled water from now on or clean windshield fluid. Do not mix different brands of fluid, you can get a chemical reaction and a precipitation that clogs your system.

Replacing the same part over and over again - not fixing the underlying problem is the very definition of insanity....

Hope this helps........

 

i've only ever used the cheapest premix from home depot. never had any problems, but there's no bug cutter in it.

 

The rear motor sits higher than the one for the front.
Because the front is used more. So it leaves a lot more fluid so it
doesn't run dry. I read somewhere decades ago it's "about" 50%.
So when that starts to run dry, the rear won't work and you'll know to fill it.
Because it's rare that anyone checks the washer tank....

The solvent itself will eventually clog things up because it dries in the lines, and clogs
the nozzles.... The resivior will get slimy and needs to be washed out with water.

 

Mine failed at around 35k 8+ years ago. I bought a replacement on eBay, it was defective, so I just went with a straight tube, haven't had a problem since

I also make my own washer fluid, very cheap and very effective. One gallon jug, fill with tap water, add 1-3 teaspoons of dish soap (I prefer the blue Dawn), or whatever a good squirt is. You can mix around for strength levels, stronger cleans better, but leaves some film. Either way you're making a gallon of superior windshield cleaner for less than 5 cents USD.

I've had a couple cars with clogged squirt nozzles become unclogged with the use of the dish soap mix.

 

You mean the problem where you only get fluid to squirt on one side of the windshield and not the other, and you have to replace that little 1:2 valve?
Cause that stupid thing has failed for me twice.