I've had great success with levelling using the capacitance sensor. This is what I do:
1) Make sure the bed is aligned to the actual machine. This does not need to be done too often, in fact I've done it once.
Full details here:
http://geeetech.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 661#p86325
2) (part of the above) You need to level the gantry to the bed once it is level. I find this needs to be done every couple of prints.
Now for the auto level. I assume the settings are enabled on your machine. I do not specifically heat up anything and as such dont list it in steps below, not sure it makes much difference.
You should also have the sensor setup correctly. This is also a once off.
1) get the nozzle close to the bed, like paper close.
2) adjust the sensor so that it is 2-5mm away from the bed. 100% no chance of hitting the bed.
3) adjust the sensitivity on the sensor so that the LED goes off, then slowly adjust it till the LED just comes on. You should be able to slightly wiggle the head without the LED flickering.
Now this needs to be done every time the machine is tuned on.
1) Go to level -> auto level and click "nozzle"
2) Wait for it do do the dance, and stop in the middle. It should be +-15 mm from the bed.
3) move it down one 10mm step,
hit the 10mm button and move it down 1mm till it is visually close.
hit the 1mm button and move it down 0.1mm whilst wiggling a sheet of paper about under the nozzle.
if the paper jams, go up a notch and then repeat with 0.05mm steps. I generally make sure the paper is completely free, one extra 0.005mm and it starts dragging.I keep it a little looser because I DONT PRE-HEAT!!!!!
4) IMPORTANT! click OK
5) click back, the head should jump up a few mm.
That is it! I can print and reprint just fine until the machine is turned off.
PS I also have a lot of scratches on my bed, but since working it out Idont have any issues.