Hom Much Damage?

I have discovered a tear in the rubber boot going from the intake into the engine after the flow meter. Actually 3 tears where the boot bends. I'm not sure how long that has been there cause it's hard to notice if you're not looking but basically I'm assuming my engine has been inhaling unfiltered air, I know this can't be good but what I want to know is HOW BAD THAT ACTUALLY IS? I mean what kind of damage this might incur, and is there anything I could do to prevent the damage? Of course I am replacing the boot on Monday...

No big deal on the damage.

But I am surprised it runs with intake leakes, most will not.

Later,

Thanks for the reply KC I was just afraid that some dirt could've gotten into the combustion chamber itself. By driving I can't see any problems with the car but I just thought I would ask.

Well, if your car starts running really badly at odd intervals, you know what to replace. A friend of mine had a car that did that every time the little rubber pieces fell out of place.