Engine repair question about 2008 Town and Country 3.8L

I have a 2002 3.8L (T&C minivan). 295K miles and still excellent compression, which isn't unusual based on a forum. Heads have never been off, nor the lower intake manifold. I don't recall a coolant cross-over there, but didn't look close. I recall a coolant cross-over in the timing cover (removed once, plus oil passages since oil pump in timing cover), so don't know why there would be another one at the front of the intake. Perhaps one at the aft end (where T-stat sits).

I wouldn't try to fix a head gasket leak without knowing that I had one. Typically you get symptoms besides just "coolant loss", such as "brown slime floating in radiator, and "milky oil". Strangest I had was in our 1996 2.4L which leaked oil to the outside, but nothing else. Finally changed it to the redesigned MLS gasket since the slight oil leak was dripping on the hot exhaust manifold for that burnt-rubber smell.

Many times, coolant is lost somewhere not noticeable, and perhaps as a fine spray which doesn't show on the ground. Heater hoses and heater cores are a prime suspect. The later gives a coolant smell in the cabin. It can leak out the condensate drain where not noticed. If the rear heat/AC option, he has many places to leak. In mine, a small plastic restrictor in a heater hose near the firewall cracked and leaked. Many owners have had that. I think it is only in vans w/ rear heat (mine). I tossed it since not essential. Another leak appeared from the water pump, but was actually from a rubber cap on a stub at the rear of the water pump housing (up high from underneath on rear side, so hard to see). I think that was only on vans w/ the oil-cooler option (mine w/ factory tow package). I replaced it with better 5/8" silicone hose w/ 1/2" copper cap clamped inside end. We'll see if OP looks at any of these areas, then reports back on results and all the helpful suggestions.