An analysis of survey and pointed ROSAT PSPC observations of the Seyfe
rt 1.8 galaxy NGC 3786 has revealed interesting spectral and temporal
behaviour. The spectrum is found to show clear signs of excess absorpt
ion, and there is evidence that part (or al) of it is caused by the pr
esence of a warm absorber. The soft X-ray spectral properties are disc
ussed in the context of the Sy 1.8 classification of NGC 3786, and are
combined with published optical data in an effort to discriminate bet
ween several possible absorption models. The one;involving a warm abso
rber with internal dust, located between BLR and NLR, is favoured and
shown to account successfully for the high observed broad line reddeni
ng as well as for the strong X-ray variability (a factor similar to 10
) we detect between the 1990 and 1992 observation.