Just installed an older (86 possibly) Cal Spa 220V. All pumps work fine, air, jet. Yet water has not raised a single degree in 4 hours. Heating element feels VERY hot, but pipes connecting to heater feel cold still. Any ideas?

If the heater is indeed getting hot the only thing it could be is that you aren't getting the hot water into the tub.....which either means you have a blockage or there is a circulation pump somewhere that you are overlooking that is not working. Often times, depending on the spa, there is a circulation pump that runs 24/7 which is responsible for constant filtering as well as heating. Also....make sure your thermometer is good. If the water is just sitting there boiling you're going to create a dry fire situation and fry your element.

Thanks for the help, however, after reexamining the situation, the actually element was leaking water (very small HOT stream), but that showed an obvious back flow into the heater problem. (It was shorting out-getting it hot) Just an old rotted element. New heater, all fixed, good stuff. Thanks again