I have the vcr top off because it was not ejecting the tape come to find out there was a long metal piece that had plastic on the left side was just sitting there not attached to anything now i understand where the metal end goes but i am having trouble figuring out where the plastic attaches to

Remove the top cover to see the tape and get at it. Remove it there using plastic tools, not metal.

the problem is not in your video recorder than to your video cassette, the Underside of the tape on the left side needs to have a little plastic, if it does, then put a little sticky tape insulating {}, because without it you can not to record it ..... . if after this no records should then take video recorder repair service ....... Good luck ....

"first remove the power to the unit, pop the top lid off, (4 screws) then u will see a controle board secured on top, there are 2 screswes on teh side, becareful not to break any of the wires connected to the board when sliding out of the way. below this board is where the tape is located. You should notice a number of visable plastic grears onthe side of the loading mechanisim. there reall is only one u need to be concerned with, It is Located on the left side of the motor, motor is located to the rear left side of the mechanisim. there u will see a long a FLAT gear, just to the left of the motor, there is a small amount of play in this gear, push this geer twords the rear of the unit and hold it there, reinsert the powersupply and press eject, this will tigger the eject mechanism and pop the tape out"

Simply remove the tape, broken pieces, clean vcr with alcohol. don't use the tape again

It's on the back edge of any VHS video tape, it looks like a square piece of plastic which is only attached at one side. Break it off and the VCR can't record on the tape. Cover the hole with sticky tape to record again. If your looking for the tab inside the machine just see where the loaded video lands. Most video tapes with it removed will go into automatic play when there's no tab. Also the VCR will eject the tape if any attemp is made to record on a protected tape.

Does the tape play normally? Does this happen with several tapes when you try to record? Check the record protect tab on the lower left hand side on the facing end of the tape. If this is broken or bent it will not record, you can put a piece of tape tightly across the tab as a repair

This needs a little bit of care but essentially you will need to unplug the power from the VCR then do the following:

Remove the top cover
Then with the front of the VCR facing you look to see if any of the tape is wound around a large metallic silver drum, that is tilted upward and is not flat, at the rear of the tape casing. If so then it means that it has wound around the drum and you will need to retrieve the tape to allow the eject mechanism to work. Do not touch the shiny polished part of the drum. To get the tape in usually means that you have to locate a plastic or metal cog wheel, usually on the right side of the VCR that you can turn with your finger. This makes the VCR motor move. Also there is one that works the tape eject mechanism. If you can find the one to wind in the tape before working on the one for the tape eject than you stand a chance of rescuing the tape, if not then it will get some damage. Don’t worry about turning the cog wheels with your finger as you can do very little harm to the VCR with no tools involved and no power on. Moving the cogs this way will only cause very small movements with the tape motor and eject so you will need to be a little patient and you will soon see what is happening. Once remove run a cleaning tape through the VCR before you use it again. With the limited space available her it is difficult to give you much more info.

I found the spring on the tape carriage was off on one side. I reinstalled it and it fixed the problem

If you face the VHS tape with the back towards you, you should see on the left side a square opening with a TAB or piece of plastic that you can break off. If you DON'T see or feel this piece of plastic covering the square hole, then you won't be able to record. Take any kind of tape {usually 'Scott' plastic tape} or [anything] that will cover the hold. When you place the VHS tape into the VCR to RECORD a smell metal "finger" tryes to go into that hold that you pluged up and will tell the machine that you will be able to record.
If you can't record after that, then something is wrong with the machine.
Get back to me if you need any other help!

Marvin,
I am not registered here as an expert, so there should not be any charges. I do not have the option of chatting I am guessing only the registered experts have that. Here goes: 1. Take a phillips screw driver and remove all the screws that are holding the case on, there will be some big ones on the sides and a few maybe smaller ones on the back. 2. Lift the the case off 3. You should see the tape on the inside the vcr 4. You may or may not have to remove some of the metalic shielding which should be only anywhere from 4-6 screws if you have a piece of metal directly over the vcr tape some have them some do not. 5 Gently pull the magnetic tape up from around the feeder posts and the drum. 6. Try and work the vcr tape up and out, If you are having extreme difficulties with this try plugging the vcr back up and pushing the eject button while still holding the magnetic tape. The tape should eject now and you and carefully pull it out. 7. When you get the tape out, use your thumb to push up and turn one side of the white reals on the tape to slowly wind the magnetic tape back inside the tape. 8. Unplug the vcr again and replace everything that you had to remove and replace the cover.
I hope this helps and let me know if you need further assistance. And since I am not a registered expert here there should be no charge for this help unless you chatted or got help from one of the registered experts.