"Y" valves don't seem to last too long aboard our boat. I believe that the inner workings just get eaten up by the salt water. We have tried a few of the higher costing brands with the same results. 2 years or so and they are done. Has anyone else resolved this issue?
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There's not much inside a y-valve to BE eaten up
The better quality y-valves have a "barrel" with a hole in it inside that the handle rotates to open one side or the other...cheaper (though not necessarily less expensive) ones like Jabsco have a flimsy little "gate" that the handle swings to block one side or the other. That's really all there is to a y-valve....nothing for salt TO "eat." If they aren't rinsed out, waste, TP, sea water minerals can build up in 'em and jam 'em. Once a year, it's a good idea to open it up and lubricate the inside to reduce friction. So I suspect yours aren't living long because you're not flushing long enough to rinse the waste all the way through 'em...not rinsing out the system with fresh water before the boat will sit...and they need a little lubrication.
The better quality y-valves have a "barrel" with a hole in it inside that the handle rotates to open one side or the other...cheaper (though not necessarily less expensive) ones like Jabsco have a flimsy little "gate" that the handle swings to block one side or the other. That's really all there is to a y-valve....nothing for salt TO "eat." If they aren't rinsed out, waste, TP, sea water minerals can build up in 'em and jam 'em. Once a year, it's a good idea to open it up and lubricate the inside to reduce friction. So I suspect yours aren't living long because you're not flushing long enough to rinse the waste all the way through 'em...not rinsing out the system with fresh water before the boat will sit...and they need a little lubrication.
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