KS_Evo9

Ok so I have the AMS K&N with MAF adapter. Sometimes it falls off the MAF plate so I put it back on no probs , a few times it fell off and I drive like a block with it off put it on no biggy. Today I drove home and noticed it was off when I got to my house and I noticed my car was makin a kind of tick tick tick noise i was like WDF! So I shut the car off put the intake filter back on turned the car on and it was still ticking I was like wdf. So I parked it waited like an hour went back outside turned the car on and it stopped ticking. What do you guys think it was I mean its good now but whats the worst case sanaero that could have happnd? Like I said its good now info plz.