Intestinalworm said:

Is it a good idea to just change the serpentine belt now regardless (no issues, no squeaks and the original belt looks OK)?

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Rule of thumb with a serpentine belt is the amount of cracks in the ribs of the belt per inch, 1 crack per rib per inch (as an average) = time for a new belt. (so a 5 rib belt, max 5 cracks per inch, 7 rib belt max 7, etc)

Gates make good belts. Contitech belts are easier to find by size rather than application usually, for future purposes.

neilly said:

If the fan has never been off before, the holding tool can make life easier for you, and save a few skinned knuckles / swearing.

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+1, unless you feel like brushing up on your french !

Last note is stick some copper grease on it when you stick it back! Your future self will thank you

Thanks for the good advice. Yeah, purchased the spanner and the holding tool as the fan has never been off before and I had visions of skinned knuckles.