transmission going bad or fluid replacement?

[A4speed]

I have a 2001 audi a4 1.8t, it has been awhile since i have been on the site so its good to see a lot some of you are still here :) My a4 is a manual and when im in 3rd gear and I push any gas at all it pops back in neutral. I have to hold it in gear to work in 3rd. I have not done a flush in forever but would that fix the issue or do you think its the actual transmission?

[Cincy]

Sounds more like a linkage issue. You can try new fluid, but i dont think this would work. Dont know enough about transmissions to help more.

[l88m22vette]

Do a shifter alignment first, fluid might help but there is no reason to spend the $ for it if the trans needs work (ie if you can't figure it out)

[auditech79]

Fluid won't do anything, the two linkage adjustment bolts on the trans tend to loosen up after a while, thats most likely what it is.