Dye sublimation "ink" cartridge life

Does anyone here know the approximate useable lifespan of dye sub ink cartridges? I have a Canon Selphy CP600 which up to a year ago was giving great prints but now the colors are very blotchy and overly pink. I've cleaned the printer several times with no improvement.

I contacted Canon and they said they didn't have a lifespan for the cartridges but recommended using them within 1 year of opening them up. The ones I have were manufactured in 2004 and 2005. Fresh out of the wrapper cartridges/paper give the same results as ones that have been open for a few months.

I just don't want to buy a fresh cartridge/paper kit only to find it's the printer that's hosed.

I've just printed an image on my old Samsung Dye Sub that's been sat on a shelf for about 3 years and apart from the first inch being covered in dust, it was as expected. I'd imagine the cartridge/film/dye is similar to Canon's.

HankScorpio wrote in post #9291825
I've just printed an image on my old Samsung Dye Sub that's been sat on a shelf for about 3 years and apart from the first inch being covered in dust, it was as expected. I'd imagine the cartridge/film/dye is similar to Canon's.

Thanks.

Could be my printer is toast then. I've reprinted some photos that I earlier had done by EZprints (Smugmug) and the Selphy's prints are horrible (e.g., looks off-colered and posterized), where a year ago they were fine.