Popping noise from spark plug on '96 4Runner

This morning, after starting and allowing my 4Runner to warm up, I was coming out of the house and noticed a popping/exhaust like noise coming from the engine compartment. My first thought was an exhaust leak from the manifold or our friend the doughnut gasket. Upon further inspection I found a sparkplug connector that wasn't seated properly. I went to re-seat the thing and could feel the noise that I was hearing. I turned off the engine and pulled the connector all the way off to discover a significant amount of carbon. I then had to join the other rats in the race, jumped in the 2nd car and went to work. What kind of problem am I looking at. I have never run into something like this before. Should I take my best girl to the doctor or try to fix her myself?