The engine torque's to the rear on every front engine, front wheel drive car I have seen. The engine lifts up in the front because the engine torque's to the rear. When the mount goes there is no longer a limit on how high the motor is allowed to lift, causing it to hit the hood. With the engine at rest it is still supported by the mount so the engine never drops below the appropriate level.
The engine only hits the hood when the mount blows. I drove the car for 2 weeks, after I bought the car with a bad motor mount, before replacing it. Jimi Polivka '91 Passat GL
