New to this looking for info

[annalisehunt]

I took my car to a repair shop and the cleaning the fuel tank screen.
When I started driving it again, I noticed the (Mercedes 300SD 79) was using a lot of fuel.
Upon checking it out I noticed they didn't put the intake hose from the air filter into the turbo back on.
Took it back to the shop and they told me the air filter needed the pads it sits on replaced - and because it was rocking that it had separated this part.
I don't think soo.
It was not in the right position to have been "shaken off", so I have clamps on the air filter to hold it pretty steady - does this site sell those little knobs and what do they call them?? - and that isn't what happened.
Question? what kind of damage will it do to have been driving about a tank and a half's worth without this part connection.
Tried to connect it myself but couldn't get the gasket on to put it back together.
What do you think??
The shop was pretty snotty with me when I didn't go for the shaken loose stuff.
Ahunt